As the number of women working in aerospace continues to grow, Lehigh’s presence spreads. Meet a few who are going boldly where so few have gone before.
Lauren Miller ’18
Astrophysics
Staff Scientist, Space Telescope Science Institute
Time at Lehigh
I conducted research with Joshua Pepper, associate professor of physics, for a year on variable stars, and earned a Lee Iacocca International Internship at the University of Science and Technology of China where I reduced and analyzed images from a new telescope.
Career trajectory
Before my senior year, I interned at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, where I studied exoplanet science. After graduation, I returned to NASA for the summer before beginning my master’s degree in astronomy at San Diego State University. While earning my master’s, I returned to NASA for a third time.
When I finished my graduate degree, I began at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. While the James Webb Space Telescope has dominated the recent news, I work on the Hubble Space Telescope calibrating the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and supporting scientists who use the data we collect to study the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets. I also continue to do research on the atmospheres of exoplanets.
Women in industry
I am used to being part of a smaller female cohort. Despite this, I always felt supported at Lehigh and in my internships. While at times things may be difficult, I have never felt less than other researchers. The industry is moving in the right direction as companies create active plans to recruit women and diverse candidates.
Advice to other women
Try to network. I emailed many researchers at JPL in order to land an internship there. Have confidence in your own abilities and look for resources to help you get where you want to be. I had a grant from Lehigh that helped make my first JPL internship possible by covering travel and housing expenses. Look for ways to lead and become involved early in your career to challenge yourself and accomplish what you hope to achieve.
Emma O’Rourke ’21
Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical and Structural Design Engineer, Boeing
Time at Lehigh
I was in Alpha Gamma Delta and a member of the dance team. I conducted research with Keith Moored, associate professor of mechanical engineering, on the biology of maple tree helicopter seeds. Taking courses with Terry Hart ’68, professor of mechanical engineering and former NASA astronaut, was incredible. He has the best stories about falling out of the sky.
Career trajectory
In November of my senior year, I attended the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) conference where I interviewed with Boeing and was offered a role at the Kennedy Space Center. How do you turn down your dream job? It allowed me time in the spring semester to pursue my private pilot’s license. I took all of the groundwork courses in hopes that I’d have time to pursue flight lessons after graduation.
But I have been so busy. I am earning my master’s degree in engineering management at Duke. I started at Boeing as a part of the Ddesign Ccenter where I worked on multiple different space programs at once including the SLS [space launch system] rocket and Starliner capsule. I took the approach that I knew nothing and could see how they did things and ask a lot of questions.
Since then, I have been assigned numerous new design efforts and been learning more about the production process as well. I love watching the designs on the screen transform into real hardware in front of me. It’s nice to then assemble all of the pieces and make sure the systems work.
Women in industry
Sometimes it might take a few tries to get some members of the team to agree with me since I am younger and female, but the team is growing more diverse. I am lucky to have a good manager and mentors, who help me grow as a professional and team member. I participate in the Boeing Women Inspiring Leadership events. My team nominated me for the distinguished new engineer award at the SWE Space Coast Awards.
Advice to other women
Do what you love. Try lots of things and see where your passions lie and what makes you excited to learn. Be motivated and demonstrate patience to get where you are going. Rather than trying to prove yourself and know more than others, listen well, absorb lots, and work hard.
Kristina Gonzalez ’13
Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Aerospace Engineering
ISS Orbital Replacement Units Project Manager and Launch Support Integrated Product Team Lead, NASA
Time at Lehigh
In addition to my classes, I was a member of the Alpha Phi Women’s Fraternity, the Student Senate, and both the Pi Tau Sigma mechanical engineering honor society and the Sigma Tau Delta English honor society. I also gave tours of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science to prospective students.
I was fortunate to take classes with Terry Hart ’68, professor of mechanical engineering and former NASA astronaut, who was my mentor and so influential in my career path. He believed that I could have a career at NASA.
Career trajectory
I was in the Cooperative Education program at Lehigh and participated in two rotations — one at Anheuser Busch and another at Arup, the engineering firm that designed the Sydney Opera House. I interviewed at NASA in the summer before my senior year. They offered me a cooperative position in the fall, so I took a leave of absence from Lehigh in order to intern there and deferred graduation by one semester. It was just too big of an opportunity to let pass by. I had two rotations at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center — one in payload testing that fall and another in cryogenics and propulsion the following summer.
I returned to campus for the spring and fall semesters and graduated in January 2014. I had employment offers from both NASA teams I interned with and chose the payload team because I liked the combination of calculations and hands-on testing.
I started full-time at NASA working fluids systems and payload processing for the International Space Station (ISS) and have progressed into project and engineering management. I work with a team of engineers and safety professionals to test and fly spare components and other critical supplies to the ISS.
As a NASA engineer, I also worked on the Orion Crew Module that just launched on the new Space Launch Systems rocket for the Artemis I mission around the moon. I led the ammonia servicing operations for the Ccrew mModule’s thermal system that keeps the vehicle cool upon reentry. When it got back to Kennedy Space Center, I helped offload the rest of the ammonia and save the system. Being part of the Artemis I mission and seeing the launch from outside the Launch Control Center was one of the highlights of my career.
Women in industry
Starting out as a young female engineer in the engineering workforce was difficult. At one point, I had a person tell me the only reason I got a role was because of my gender and last name. I’ve learned to look to my own known accomplishments to build my sense of worth and not build it on the opinions of others.
It can take some time to find a good match in mentors and to find your voice on teams, especially when sometimes you may be the only woman on a project. I had to build confidence in myself to fully express my technical opinions.
I co-chaired a women’s employee resource group at Kennedy for three years and currently lead the Society of Women Engineers Space Coast Chapter as vice president. These activities help to foster community with other women in an industry that is still mostly male -dominated.
Advice to other women
Find a network! Lehigh Connects can help you find people in your industry and build relationships that lead to defining experiences. Trust yourself and your value, knowing that it will mean putting in the work to do so. Know that you may be the new person in the room, but if you are in the room, then you deserve to be there and have a voice. Everyone starts out somewhere, even if that means starting small and giving yourself the space to grow.
Kristen Deak ’08G
Computer Science
Configuration Management Systems Engineering, Raytheon Technologies
Time at Lehigh
I came to Lehigh for its graduate program in computer science. I learned so much there, surrounded by so many accomplished and intelligent people.
Career trajectory
While I worked in web design for a bit, I moved into quality assurance engineering and then had an opportunity to work in Colorado with my security clearance on aerospace contracts. I have worked on projects for Raytheon, Seagate, and Space Force. I am currently with Raytheon at Schriever Space Force base. I help with configuration changes of classified data. So as a person or team moves across different environments, I ensure their data moves with them. Those data transfers require specific procedures and processes in order to prevent leaks.
Women in industry
As I get older, it gets easier to work as a woman in this field. Companies are actively working to hire and promote more women. I can encounter issues and challenges, but those decrease when I am not the only woman in the room.
Advice to other women
You will encounter challenges, but don’t ever give up on your dreams. I never expected to work for Space Force, but here I am. So if you are struggling, which inevitably happens, just don’t give up. Know that there is a network of women out there. I meet with Lehigh women in Denver through the book club and dinners. I support Lehigh undergraduates by reviewing resumes, making professional referrals, and offering advice.