Dr. Wendy A. Okolo is an aerospace research engineer specializing in flight dynamics, vehicle controls, and systems health monitoring. She is also a leader in advancing broad participation, scholastic excellence, and talent development within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
ABOUT
Dr. Wendy A. Okolo is an aerospace engineering researcher in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, conducting research and leading cross-functional teams in aerospace vehicle flight safety and controls optimization.
At 26 years old, she became the first black woman to obtain a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her expertise is in flight dynamics, vehicle controls, and systems health monitoring, exemplified by her work with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on aircraft formation flight and the Advanced Development Programs of Lockheed Martin (Skunkworks) on performance optimizing control for the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Joint Strike Fighter F-35C aircraft.
The first female recipient of the NASA Ames Early Career Researcher Award, Dr. Okolo has received multiple awards for excellence in research and technology development including a NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal, the NASA Ames Award for Researcher/Scientist, and the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Most Promising Engineer in U.S. Government.
She is a leading expert and advocate for expanding participation and opportunity in STEM, and has conducted seminal work in reframing long-standing challenges related to engagement in these fields. An honoree of the Women In Aerospace Award for Initiative, Inspiration & Impact, Dr. Okolo is a globally recognized STEM speaker, with a remarkable ability to engage audiences. Her best-selling book, Learn to Fly, provides a manual for scholastic success in STEM while demonstrating that everything is for everyone.
BACKGROUND
Aerospace Research Engineer & Associate Project Manager
NASA Ames Research Center, Silicon Valley
December 2016 - Present
Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering
University of Texas at Arlington
May, 2015
Honors Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
University of Texas at Arlington
May, 2010
An internationally recognized aerospace engineer and expert in broadening STEM participation, Dr. Okolo’s advocacy lies at the intersection of facilitating talent pathways for research-, development-, and technology-focused organizations; supporting student success from K-12 through postdoctoral STEM education and careers; and highlighting the impacts of constrained participation in STEM research and development.
Drawing from her personal experiences and best practices as a rocket scientist, her interactive presentations will inspire your audience to innovate, dream big, and “learn to fly.”