Anna Shipman

Vice President Relations

Most of my career thus far was spent at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) , where I worked as a co-op student and, after graduation, a systems engineer. While there, I provided systems engineering support for two astrophysics missions and one International Space Station payload. I co-authored and served as co-investigator for a proposal that aimed to evaluate whether copper-infused additively manufactured manifolds could mitigate biofilm growth in Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). I served on the MSFC Early Career Organization (MECO) and co-authored our newsletter, developed social media graphics, and arranged educational and professional growth opportunities for early career employees at MSFC. Lastly, I was honored to be nominated as an agency-wide mentor for young kids interested in STEM as part of the NASA's Inspires Futures for Tomorrow's Youth (NIFTY) program; mentoring students from rural areas like my hometown is a huge passion of mine.

I decided to pursue a career in medicine to link austere environment research and technology development with direct patient care so I can better support healthcare deserts like my rural hometown. I am currently gaining clinical experience as a medical assistant at an OBGYN clinic and will apply to medical school next Spring.

I plan to carry my passion for science communication, mentorship, and interdisciplinary advocacy into my role as Vice President of Relations. I will highlight to our partners OSMED's focus on high-quality mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, as this is truly what sets our organization apart from others. To support our committees, I will bring my systems engineering skill of cross-disciplinary coordination as well as my experience leading MSFC's early career organization and OSMED's book club. I'll jump in to support committees wherever and however I can and provide a sounding board for new ideas to relay to our executive committee. I hope that as OSMED grows, so does our reach to rural and other underrepresented communities in STEM, and it is my honor, as Vice President of Relations, to help our organization continue to grow.