Our Story

After two decades of dedicated service and significant contributions at NASA, Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja is now seeking independent avenues to apply her profound knowledge in science and engineering.

Mamta most recently served as the Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research, providing crucial human spaceflight and science counsel to NASA’s Chief Scientist. Previously, she spearheaded NASA’s entire science communications portfolio, demonstrating her ability to bridge complex science with broader audiences. Her expertise also led her to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where she operated the mass spectrometer for the LADEE mission to the Moon and later led the mechanical engineering design efforts for a scientific instrument on a proposed mission to Venus. As the Deputy Program Scientist for Space Biology at NASA, she shaped the future of research in this vital area.

Mamta’s NASA story began in 2001 at Johnson Space Center, where she began fulfilling a childhood dream when she landed a coveted internship. As her career progressed, she played a crucial role in training astronauts for both the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, alongside her responsibilities as a certified flight controller.

Mamta’s impressive academic background spans aerospace, mechanical, and biomedical engineering, and her doctoral research delved into the molecular biology of genetic changes in bone cells under simulated microgravity. Her commitment and capabilities were recognized through two NASA astronaut interviews, several Agency-level awards such as the NASA Exceptional Service award, and the honor of representing NASA to the White House Council on Women and Girls during the Obama Administration.

Mamta looks forward to building her own company and growing it to include a team. Leading people is one of her favorite skillsets, and she considers it a reward to be able to pay it forward, as a thank you to the wonderful mentors who continue to lift her up when she needs it the most.