Joshua McDonald was inspired to work at NASA due to his interest in model rocketry in his youth. He attended the University of Tennessee, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 2016 and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering in 2018. Shortly after graduating with his masters, Josh was able to achieve his dream of working at NASA by becoming a payload operations engineer with SAGE III.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys finding various trails to hike. He also continues his interest in model rocketry by flying the rockets he has built whenever the opportunity arises along with attending various rocketry events.

The SAGE III/ISS Team

Bob Borchardt
Lead Technical Payload Engineer

Donald Cleckner
Mission Operations Engineer

Robert Damadeo
Lead Algorithm Scientist

Jim Farmer
Ground Systems Engineer

Richard Farmer
Ground Systems Engineer

David Flittner
Project Scientist

Michael Heitz
Scientific Programmer / Analyst

Jonathan Hicks
Ground Systems Engineer

Charles Hill
Deputy Project Scientist / Instrument Scientist

Carter Hulsey
Scientific Programmer / Analyst

Travis Knepp
Aerosol Research Scientist

Mahesh Kovilakam
Aerosol Research Scientist

Marsha Larosee
Scientific Programmer / Analyst

Kevin Leavor
Lead Data Scientist

Kaitlin Liles
Chief Engineer / Lead Thermal Engineer

James Losey
Mission Operations Engineer

Robbie Manion
Science Computing Facility Lead

Joshua McDonald
Mission Operations Engineer

Mary Cate McKee
Data Scientist

Allison McMahon
Communications & Public Outreach Lead

Jamie Nehrir
Mission Operations Manager

Greg Paxton
Ground Systems Lead

Andrew Peterson
Ground Systems Manager

Michael Pitts
Lead Scientist for Oxygen A-Band Temperature / Pressure Research Product

Samuel Porter
Deputy Mission Operations Manager

Marilee Roell
Science Manager

Carrie Roller
Science Validation Lead

Caitlyn Stone
Mission Operations Engineer

Larry Thomason
Lead Scientist for Aerosol Extinction Coefficient Product

Shane Wolf
Software Assurance Lead