I have always been interested in the space program and fascinated at human accomplishments in this area. So when I was offered a position at the Goddard Space Flight Center as a Data Math Analyst for the Allied Signal Technical Services Corporation, I didn't have to think about it for very long.

During my first year, I was responsible for analyzing telemetry data from a number of scientific research satellites. Data from these satellites are received and processed at Goddard before being released to various research groups who use the data.

For the next three years, I worked to develop procedures, criteria, and guidelines to be used in the evaluation of data from new satellite missions—specifically the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) and, more recently, the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE). I worked closely with the software developers for the computer systems used for data receipt and processing and supported pre-launch testing to verify our group's launch readiness. For the next four years, I worked first as a supervisor for a group of ten analysts responsible for the receipt and evaluation of telemetry data from the GRO, EUVE and SAMPEX projects, and then as a supervisor for a group responsible for developing a new system in support of the SWAS, SOHO, and XTE missions. Currently, I manage a department of 50 people who operate two data capture facilities and provide data analysis, development, and testing support for ten missions.