NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Thousands of talented, dedicated and passionate people work at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. They are rocket scientists and engineers. They are researchers and physicists and chemists. They are aviation specialists, public affairs officers, administrative assistants, security officers, logistics managers and more. With countless specializations in myriad fields, the people of Glenn share one goal: working for the public in support of NASA's mission.

The diverse Glenn workforce is comprised of civil servants and on-site support contractors. Workers perform a large variety of different jobs at NASA Glenn. "My Job at NASA Glenn" is a series that introduces some of these workers. Learn about different employees and the interesting jobs they perform, and how their education prepared them to make unique and important contributions to NASA.

Christine Pastor-Barsi

Christine Pastor-Barsi
Image Credit: NASA Job Title:
Aeromechanical Test Engineer

What that means:
I support all test facilities at NASA Glenn including the 9x15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT), 8x6 Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT), 10x10 Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) and the Icing Research Tunnel (IRT).

What I do:
I am part of or lead a team of engineers and technicians who plan and carry out test programs at the wind tunnels, supporting both internal and external customers. I am also responsible for calibration of the wind tunnels when needed.

The coolest /most interesting part of my job is:
Turning the wind tunnel on and testing hardware; every day of work is new and exciting and never boring.

My favorite project that I have worked, or that I am working on, is:
The Combined Cycle Engine/Large Scale Inlet Mode Transition Experiment (CCE/LIMX) is the most complex and fascinating project I have worked on. It's an over/under inlet with a turbofan inlet stacked on top of a scramjet/ramjet inlet. It's revolutionary technology that could provide reliable access to space or get you from New York to London in under an hour.

The accomplishment that I am most proud of is:
Successfully leading the Combined Cycle Engine/Large Scale Inlet Mode Transition Experiment (CCE/LIMX) test program in the 10- x 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT). I am very proud of the work I did on this project because it was the most complex test program ever run at the 10x10 SWT. I grew as a person and engineer, improved working relationships with co-workers and was married during this multi-year program. I am very honored to have had the privilege to work with the exemplary people on the CCE/LIMX test team.

A Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education helped me by:
Helping me to land a job that most days, does not feel like work.

Good advice for students, including STEM students, is:
Don't ever give up. If you want it, go get it. The only one stopping you is you.

How do you "dream big?"
I expect great things from myself and push myself to achieve these expectations.

Who inspired you to "dream big" and how or what did they do that inspired you?
So many people have inspired me to "dream big," but the most influential was my father. My father is a retired aircraft mechanic and aerospace engineer. He taught me how to work on cars and I got my love of planes and all things mechanical from him.

What do you do to inspire others to "dream big?"
I try to be an example for others. I've spoken to students at career day at St. Barnabas Jr. High School. I've had several opportunities to share my experiences with young women and I do as many outreach events as I can.

Meet More NASA Glenn Employees

-Edited by Nancy Smith Kilkenny, SGT Inc.
NASA's Glenn Research Center