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Malibu Library Speaker Series: Dr. Aprille Ericsson

In-Person Program

The Malibu Library Speaker Series presents Dr. Aprille Ericsson, NASA Aerospace Engineer, Technologist, Project, and Program Manager.

The Malibu Library Speaker Series presents Dr. Aprille Ericsson, NASA Aerospace Engineer, Technologist, Project, and Program Manager on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 7 pm at Malibu City Hall.

Aerospace engineer Aprille Ericsson’s career is distinguished by “firsts.” She considers her most prestigious the honor of being the first person of color to receive The Washington Award from the Western Society of Engineers. Raised in the projects of Bedford-Stuyvesant, she is the first African-American female to receive a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and the first African-American female to receive a Ph.D. in Engineering at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where she currently serves as New Business lead for the Instrument Systems and Technology Division.

During her 25+ year tenure with NASA, Dr. Ericsson has worked as Aerospace Engineer, Technologist, Project and Program Manager and Executive. She has taught at Howard University, the University of Maryland, and Bowie State University. Dr. Ericsson has been named one of the top 50 minority women working in science and engineering fields by the National Technical Association, and she was ranked 8 of 20 on the 2016 list of the Most Powerful Women Engineers by Business Insider.

As an attitude control systems specialist, Dr. Ericsson's satellite missions have included projects X-Ray Timing Explorer, Tropical Rain Forest Measurement Mission, and the Wilkerson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. For these projects, she developed and used programs for dynamic modeling simulation, which are invaluable in predetermining the dynamics and structural reactions of spacecraft. Following those assignments, Dr. Ericsson was detailed to NASA HQs as a Program Executive for Earth Science and a Business Executive for Space Science. She returned to the Goddard Space Flight Center for a long tenure as an Instrument Project Manager, where she led spaceflight instrument teams and proposal developments.

Dr. Ericsson’s work as an aerospace engineer has presented many opportunities to fulfill her dream of advancing space flight. She speaks to young people across the country – especially minorities and women – to encourage them to follow in her footsteps.

This event takes place Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu. RSVPs are required. Register online or call Malibu Library at 310.456.6438.