Station Nation: Meet Desiree Smith, Research Portfolio Manager for the Natural Sciences Client Support Office

Desiree Smith is a research portfolio manager for the Natural Sciences Client Support Office within the International Space Station Program’s Research Integration Office. Smith helps researchers from all over the world launch and conduct science experiments on the orbiting laboratory. Smith shares how the call to work at NASA was the gift that keeps on giving, the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the village that brings together a global community to send humans to the space station and beyond. Read on to learn more!

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Where are you from?

I am from Houston, Texas.

Tell us about your role at NASA.

As a research portfolio manager in the Natural Sciences Client Support Office, I manage the life cycle of each payload investigation within my portfolio of natural science investigations. These responsibilities include investigation feasibility, development, testing, acceptance, mission integration, on-orbit execution, and communication of scientific results. My clients include the NASA Headquarters-based Biology & Physical Science Division of the Science Mission Directorate and their work across multiple NASA centers, the ISS National Laboratory, the Human Exploration Mission Directorate’s Human Research Program, and international partner space agencies including the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), the ESA (European Space Agency) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

How would you describe your job to family or friends who may not be as familiar with NASA as employees reading this?

I manage the cradle-to-grave process that helps research teams from all over the world launch and conduct science experiments on the International Space Station. These experiments, performed by astronauts from various space agencies, have led to many of the medical, environmental, and technological advances that our society benefits from every day.

How long have you been working for the agency?

I have worked at NASA since August of 2004, so coming up on 20 years.

What was your path to NASA?

During my final year in college, I started contemplating my career options. After graduation, I worked in corporate sales for a cellular company and later for a leasing agency. Initially, the thought of working at NASA intimidated me. However, I mustered the courage to apply and shared my resume.

What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you? How does it guide you in your work at NASA?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion opens doors for different perspectives, concepts, and innovations. I am incredibly fortunate to have a voice that is heard and valued in this environment, where I have been given the opportunity to influence important decisions for our program. 

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month provides an occasion to acknowledge and honor the numerous contributions made by the Black community to this nation. These contributions have greatly influenced and transformed the lives of all cultures and communities in our society. The previous generations, who were required to enter from the back door and work in obscurity without receiving any recognition, succeeded in altering laws and policies that enabled subsequent generations, from all communities, to be able to be recognized for their efforts and contributions through the front door.

Is there someone in the space, aerospace, or science industry that has motivated or inspired you to work for the space program? Or someone you discovered while working for NASA who inspires you? 

I was first introduced to NASA through my uncle, Emmit Fisher Sr., who worked as a civil servant engineer for 25 years and then for Rockwell for 10 years before retiring. Following in his footsteps, my mother, Yolanda Smith, is now a senior robotics instructor here at Johnson. They inspired me to pursue a STEM-based degree and join the NASA community.

What is your favorite NASA memory?

Several projects have shaped my career and challenged me in the best way, both professionally and personally. For the last 10 years, I’ve specifically supported space station research-related projects. While serving as an increment payload engineer for three increment pairs (47/48, 53/54, and 59/60), two of our Increment Management Teams (53/54 and 59/60) managed to break utilization records for research. Later as a utilization flight lead, I had the pleasure of working directly with payload developers and research teams to manage the successful ground, launch, and return of critically constrained research investigations on over 13 cargo and crew flights.

What do you love sharing about station? What’s important to get across to general audiences to help them understand the benefits to life on Earth?

We give the phrase “it takes a village” a new meaning. To imagine what it takes to bring together a global community of developers, trainers, engineers, flight crews, and scientists to perform groundbreaking research in microgravity is an achievement that is truly out of this world.

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What are your hobbies/things you enjoy outside of work?

Traveling is at the top of my list of hobbies. I’m also a “foodie,” so living in one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country is like being in a culinary heaven. I try to offset the calories by exercising outdoors and expressing my creative skills by making floral arrangements.

Day launch or night launch? 

Anytime launch!

Favorite space movie?

The Martian and Hidden Figures are my favorite space movies.

NASA Worm or Meatball logo?

Meatball.

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Every day, we’re conducting exciting research aboard our orbiting laboratory that will help us explore further into space and bring benefits back to people on Earth. You can keep up with the latest news, videos, and pictures about space station science on the Station Research & Technology news page. It’s a curated hub of space station research digital media from Johnson and other centers and space agencies. 

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