What high school did you graduate from?
J.M. Hanks High School - 2000

What did you get your college degree(s) in and when did you graduate? B.S. Computer Science - May 2008

Where do you work?
With NASA at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX

What do you do?
At JSC, I work as a Software Engineer in the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD). Specifically, I am involved in the planning and support of the International Space Station (ISS). On the ISS, the most talented and dedicated individuals in the universe (some call them astronauts) carry out various activities that range from performing routine maintenance on the ISS (keeping themselves alive in outer space) to conducting critical experiments for the International Space Agency (ISA). MOD is in charge of scheduling these activities into a timeline for the astronauts to follow.

When I first started at NASA, I was involved in the development of software that planners used to create these timelines. I worked directly with the planners to gain a perspective of how to improve the software to help them become more efficient at their jobs. Recently, I joined a team that is responsible for automating planning tasks. My team analyzes these tasks by asking two questions: “Can software complete this task?” and “Can software complete this task as well as a person can?” If we can come to an agreement on the feasibility of automating a given task, then we proceed with the development of such a solution. Otherwise, we heed the classic idiom: “Back to the drawing board.”

What do you like about what you do?
Primarily, I am in awe that I work for NASA. Everyday I walk into my office with the mentality that is best described by Gene Kranz. "You can not operate in this room unless you believe that you are Superman, and whatever happens, you're capable of solving the problem." In line with this mentality, I covet the notion that NASA entrusts me to improve its processes by applying my abilities towards groundbreaking solutions. In other words, NASA depends on me to eliminate repetitive planning tasks in a reasonable amount of time.

Another reason why I like working for NASA is that my performance is judged by my creativity. I believe in the idea that one can accomplish anything that they put mind to, also convinced that accomplishment is directly proportional to hard work. Thus, it thrills me to know that my performance is a result of my hard work.

Most importantly, the people that work for NASA are enlightening to work with. These individuals are just as enthusiastic about the space program as I am. If you were to walk into a random office at JSC, it would be as though you were walking into some sort of space shrine with posters of Hubble images, autographed portraits of Astronauts, and Apollo memorabilia. This enthusiasm radiating from my JSC coworkers energizes me, and their dedication inspires me.

How has our life changed because of yourUTEP degree?
I remember the day that I felt my hard work at UTEP had paid off. It was my final year during a meeting with my senior project team when one of my teammates asked if I was considering going to the job-fair at the Don Haskins Center. Before that, I had never thought of taking a job immediately out of college. I decided to go because I felt the event would give me a notion of what the “industry” really consisted of.

Two minutes into the job-fair, a person standing near a booth that had pictures of wind turbines on its walls greeted me. After shaking my hand, he glanced at my nametag. With an inquisitive look on his face, he asked, “You’re a Computer Science major?” After acknowledging this, he bombarded me with a series of questions ranging from my experiences in research to my thoughts on hypothetical work-environment scenarios. Soon thereafter, I realized the large “COMPUTER SCIENCE” print on my nametag was responsible for the attention I received. This proved to me that my hard work towards a degree in engineering had paid off.

My UTEP degree in engineering has given me the opportunity to choose my future from an array of options. My experience attending the career fair established this and primed me into seeking my ideal job of working for NASA.

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome to go to and finish college?
Following high school, I did not immediately enroll at UTEP. Instead, I worked as a technician at my dad’s computer repair shop where I first learned of my enjoyment for problem solving. The greatest obstacle I faced was committing my time and attention in order to attend UTEP. This meant I would have to prioritize my academics ahead of a salary at my dad’s shop and my relaxing weekends with friends. Indeed, I could have worked part-time while studying full-time but I knew that if I were to be a successful student, I would have to become involved in extra-curricular activities at UTEP.

With time, I found that many of my classmates shared the same commitment. This helped me in focusing my goals as a student, and surrounding myself with the company of peers, helped me build great relationships.

What do you consider your greatest achievements?
Soon after I enrolled at UTEP, I joined research groups that gave me the opportunity to network with professors and students and eventually, presented me with a position as a research assistant under a grant funded by the NASA Ames research center. As an RA, I worked on software that scientists used to analyze data returned from the Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft. To me, the software that I worked on was simply a collection of code but to the people that used it, it was a tool that is vital to Cassini’s mission. My greatest achievements as a research assistant were developing a tool important to the work of space-related research and having the opportunity to work with NASA Ames, UTEP professors and students.

In addition to research, I worked as a peer leader where once a week, I would revisit elementary Computer Science concepts with about 30 lower-division students. This experience improved my communication skills by teaching me how to convey ideas to others. Planning my peer leading sessions improved my organizations skills. I would classify this as a team achievement; I held the responsibility of helping my peers learn material while they were responsible for knowing the material.

Interests outside work?
In my spare time, I enjoy playing softball, fishing, and reading. Once a week, I meet with high school students where we work on projects assorting from programming electronic robots to operating amateur radio equipment. Houston is a diverse city with many opportunities to enjoy music, the arts, and major sports. On the weekends, you will most likely find me at the symphony or rooting for the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Any future speculations as to where you¹d like to be in the near future?
During my tenure at NASA, I have met and collaborated with many talented individuals who carry with them unbelievable responsibilities. In the near future, I aim to learn as much as possible about Mission Operations. I believe this experience will assist me in better supporting the ISS. Ultimately, I will use this background to put me in a position to help send a human back to the Moon.