Monserrate C. Roman
Program Manager, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Monsi Roman graduated with a BS in Biology in 1985 from the University of Puerto Rico, where she trained as an environmental microbiologist. In 1992 she graduated with a Master Degree in Environmental Microbiology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, after completing a study on Yersinia pestis toxin release mechanisms.
Ms Roman joined NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1989, where she has strategically moved to positions that have increased her responsibilities in the Agency. Positions include: 1) NASA’s Chief Microbiologist in the group that designed the water and air systems keeping the crew alive in the International Space Station (ISS); 2) Project Manager for NASA’s next generation of Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS); 3) Agency Project Manager for the design and development of air and environmental monitors systems needed to keep a crew alive on a journey to moon, Mars and beyond; 4) Program Executive and Program Manager (PM) of the Centennial Challenges Program (CCP) at NASA Headquarters, the agency’s multimillion dollar technology development program; 4) NASA Branch Chief for the NASA Centennial Challenge team; 5) NASA Commercial Crew Program, leading the efforts to design and develop a plan for the participation of NASA employees in human-tended technology demonstrations and/or research in commercial suborbital flights. If successful, in the future any qualified NASA employee will be able to fly with their payload in Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic suborbital vehicles.
Ms. Roman has more than 70 technical publications in the area of space microbiology, flight hardware, biofilm, microbial monitoring, life support systems and crowdsourcing. Her other awards include: Silver Letter Award from the International Latino Women Congress, Distinguished Puerto Rican Heritage Month Award, and Grand Marshall of the Puertorrican Parade (Chicago). In addition, she has received many NASA Certificates of Appreciation, NASA Performance Award Certificates for Outstanding Performance, on the Spot Awards, NASA Group Achievement Awards, Director Commendation Awards in addition to the prestigious Innovation Award, NASA Space Flight Awareness Honoree Award and the Snoopy Award. The Snoopy Awardees are selected by astronauts to acknowledge efforts instrumental in developing program modifications that increase quality, reliability, safety, efficiency, or performance.
Ms. Roman understands first-hand the power of mentoring and providing significant science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning experiences to the new generation, as she was the product of many who provided her guidance in those areas. She believes this is critical for the next generation of humans that will be responsible for future space missions while also helping advance critical technologies needed on Earth (like power, food availability, clean water, etc ). Ms. Roman was chosen as one of 12 women from diverse backgrounds, selected for a 2021 book to inspire young girls, called ‘Wonder Women of Science’. Her most recent publication is a chapter in the book that was just published by Wiley: In Space Manufacturing and Resources: Earth and Planetary Exploration Applications.
She has collaborated/participated in the development of, as well as encouraging public participation in, many NASA proposals for universities and groups that have successfully applied to NASA Space Grants, EPSCOR and others. She has also developed and supported various museum proposals and development of NASA theme inspired exhibits targeted for STEM outreach. Monsi Roman has been married to her high school sweetheart for 37 years, Jose Roman, who is a NASA engineer. They have 3 adult sons that have chosen careers in STEM and 2 daughters in-law that are also part of the STEM community.
Panel Information
Tuesday, July 26
8:30 AM EST
FTI Opening Ceremony & Plenary Session
Leadership Panel: Leaders, Leaders, Leaders
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