Aerospace engineer Powtawche N. Valerino, who has been extensively involved in various space exploration efforts, is an enrolled member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (one of three federally recognized tribes of the Choctaw people). She was born to a Mississippi Choctaw mother and an African American father.
Valerino has emphasized the extent to which her upbringing helped shape her strong curiosity about natural phenomena. She recalled in one interview, “I spent my formative years on the Choctaw Indian reservation in Philadelphia, Mississpi, and in Missoula, Montana, where I loved playing outdoors, watching farm animals, and observing everything around me. I believe living in these settings motivated me to explore and respect nature.”
Valerino has also elaborated on her lifelong interest in what exists well beyond Earth. “I enjoyed reading the stories behind constellations that filled the sky and once dreamed about becoming an astronomer,” she said. “Even now, I still like to study how various indigenous tribes utilized and interpreted the placement of stars for navigation and seasonal activities.”
After Valerino moved to New Orleans with her family when she was 10 years old, she further sharpened her focus on science. “This passion lead me to participate in organizations and activities that promoted the study of science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines,” she asserted. “The interests I developed as a kid definitely influenced the school and work activities I pursued.” A major stride for Valerino in this regard took place when she participated in NASA’s Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program.
Valerino subsequently attended Stanford University and graduated from there with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. She went on to earn her master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering with a specialty in aero-astronautics from Rice University. Valerino has the distinction of being the first Native American to receive a Ph.D. in engineering from that university.
During the course of her summers as a graduate student, Valerino was an intern at both Johnson Space Center in Texas and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. At the latter of those NASA facilities, she was part of the team working on the development of the X-38 vehicle (International Space Station lifeboat). After receiving her doctorate in 2005, Valerino began her employment at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (a research and development center that is managed by the California Institute of Technology). She specifically worked as a flight path control analyst in that center’s mission design and navigation section.
Valerino’s career has also included working as a senior guidance engineer for Aerodyne Industries, an aerospace engineering and technology services firm, at Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. She ultimately found employment at that NASA facility as an aerospace engineer providing support for the space launch system and human landing system programs.
“Fortunately, I have had exposure to four different NASA facilities either through internships or full-time employment (i.e. Stennis, Johnson, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Marshall),” Valerino has stated. “Without a doubt, each NASA center’s unique mission, personality, heritage, and expertise makes working for NASA profoundly rewarding. I am humbled to be surrounded by the legacy made by my engineering predecessors and peers who’ve sent space probes to deep space and humans to the moon.”
Valerino has been significantly engaged as well in encouraging women in underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science. She received the NAACP Education Award in 2016 for those public outreach efforts. The following year, she took an active role in promoting the biographical drama film Hidden Figures and its storyline about three pioneering female black mathematicians who worked for NASA.
When asked to share her recommendations for young Native Americans seeking careers in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) field, Valerino offered the following advice:
“Try to find mentors to connect with. Get a solid foundation in math and physics because these are the building blocks for any field in engineering. Don’t be afraid if these subjects are hard in the beginning. Ask questions in your classes, and don’t be afraid to get help with understanding concepts. Try to apply for an internship to gain insight on what a particular profession entails. Lastly, don’t give up!”
Photo Credit: Public Domain
For more information on Powtawche Valerino, please check out https://www.nasa.gov/people-of-nasa/diversity-at-nasa/native-american-heritage-month/powtawche-valerino/ and https://nacc.stanford.edu/50-50-dr-powtawche-valerino
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