Majd Mayyasi

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Majd is doing service as an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) 70% of the time, and instrument builder 30% of the time. As an IPA, Majd is working as Technical Lead and Program Officer in the Solar System Workings Program in the Planetary Science Division. She also helps with the Mars and Cassini Data Analysis Programs.

Majd is part of the Planetary Exploration Science Technology Office (PESTO) group, serving as liaison to the Mapping and Planetary Spatial Infrastructure (MAPSIT) community, supporting the Technology Development Plan, and helping with Research and Analysis opportunities like Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO) and the Development and Advancement of Lunar Instrumentation (DALI) programs.

Majd is a senior research scientist and works on data analysis and numerical simulations of the atmosphere and ionosphere of Mars, determining D/H and water escape from terrestrial planets and comets using UV spectra, understanding lunar exospheric dynamics by observing sodium emissions from Earth, understanding heliospheric boundary interactions with the interstellar medium, and developing space instrumentation for improved Lyman-a detection.

Majd received a bachelor’s of Computer and Communications Engineering from the American University of Beirut and worked in industry for a few years as a web developer, project manager, database administrator, and IT service project manager. She then transitioned into science by earning a bachelor’s degree in Physics and Math from the University of Massachusetts Boston followed by a masters and PhD in Astronomy from Boston University. Majd is dedicated to engaging in Education and Public Outreach (EPO) projects and has organized, led, and participated in multiple programs that engage K-12 students, veterans, and other lay audiences to promote scientific engagement in under-served communities. She has mentored at the NY Academy of Sciences and continues to mentor at Boston University.

For fun, Majd likes to play the darbuka, take hikes in pursuit of the perfect meditation spot, and learn about Japan.

Please direct questions or corrections on this page to SARA@nasa.gov.