Dr. Aprille Ericsson
Aerospace Engineer at NASA
“I love all detective stories…I like trying to figure out the mystery before he did! Today in my job, I feel like I get to do something similar.”
Read Dr. Aprille’s full profile below
What do you do every day?
My jobs have changed at NASA- I am now the deputy to chief technologist. My primary role is the role to expand the development of new technology. I try to create partnerships using the resources we have including our unique knowledge base. Partnerships may include universities, companies, etc.
Why do you love it?
Every day- the challenges are different! A lot of the times the challenges are people related- trying to inspire and get the best products out of people, trying to get the resources to solve problem. The really cool thing is the technology- I'm focusing on these satellites (cubeSATS) that have the ability to fill the gap between a small budget, and great science. I like that kind of challenge. The science helps our communities- helps understand the Earth, black holes, other planets, and that's really cool to me- gaining new knowledge!
What were your moments of fear and challenges in your career?
I decided in the summer of my junior year that I wanted to do engineering- and I wanted to do it at MIT. I went to a summer program my teacher had recommended- but I struggled to cram in the classes I needed before leaving for MIT engineering...I didn't even have calculus before I got there! I was behind for the first type in math and science! By my sophomore year of college, I had failed a class (twice!) - differential equations! Fortunately I had a great advisor at MIT who told me to go back to the basics and re learn the math I needed- and then I aced my final when I retook the class! I didn't struggle anymore in engineering classes where math was a foundation. It taught me about the ways to approach failure.
There are ongoing struggles with where to change career paths, or market focus, or family focus, but if you build yourself a good support group, you can manage it all, with a little flexibility!
What are some of the latest innovations in science that you are most excited about?
CubeSATS- it requires miniaturization of our instrumentations and spaceships- as you miniaturize the size of things that go on spaceships, you bring down the cost. If something is heavier, it costs us more to put it in space. So things like nano-manufacturing and so on that work in a very small scale are exciting and that's where we are going in the future!
Where did you grow up?
Brooklyn, NY and Cambridge, MA- but I call Brooklyn my hometown- my mom's parents lived in Cambridge so I spent summers and high school and college there.
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Sheila Widnall- first female Secretary of Defense
Dr. Wes Harris - he is an aeronautics specialist, and a mentor to me. Both at MIT
Tell us about your personal style.
I like to be comfortable- with a little bling!
Is there a current book or book you love?
Sherlock Holmes- and I love all detective stories. I liked trying to figure out the mystery before he did! Today in my job, I feel like I get to do something similar. Now as an adult, I like Stephen King- but they can be a little horrific. I really like poetry too- particularly Langston Hughes!
Who inspires you?
Mae Jaemason (the first female astronaut) and the Tuskegee Airmen.
