Dr. Michaelyn L. Thomas is the Acting Assistant Program Area Manager and Program Manager for the National Security Space mission area at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, working at the Los Angeles, California field office. Dr. Thomas’s portfolio consists of the kill chain integration programs in support of Space Systems Command located at the Los Angeles Air Force Base. In her role, Dr. Thomas is responsible for leading the execution of system-of-systems integration; modeling, simulation, and analysis; and providing technical direction for mission concepts and independent research and development. She is also a part-time University Lecturer at the Johns Hopkins University’s Whiting School of Engineering.
Prior to joining Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in 2023, Dr. Thomas was the Deputy Director for the Resilient Missile Warning, Tracking, and Defense acquisition delta at Space Systems Command. In that role, Dr. Thomas was responsible for a $2 Billion Medium Earth Orbit program portfolio, and she provided executive leadership, guidance, and direction for the execution of technology maturation, systems engineering, program management, and business operations.
From 2017 to 2022, Dr. Thomas was a c-suite leader at Virgin Orbit located in Long Beach, California. At Virgin Orbit, she led as the Head of Affordability as well as the Executive Program Manager for global spaceport development. From 2007 to 2017, Dr. Thomas held many leadership roles at The Boeing Company’s Satellite Development Center located in El Segundo, California. She specialized in technical program management, business operations, and leading as a subject matter expert in cost estimating and pricing for complex space systems.
Scholastically, Dr. Thomas is a published author and belongs to Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. She holds a doctorate degree in organizational leadership from University of La Verne; a master of science degree in space systems engineering from The Johns Hopkins University; a master of business administration degree from University of Redlands; and a bachelor of arts degree in political science, public law with a minor degree in Russian language from California State University, Long Beach.
Education History
- B.A, Political Science Public Law, California State University, Long Beach
- M.S., Space Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- M.B.A, Business Administration, University of Redlands
- Ed.D, Organizational Leadership, University of La Verne
Work Experience
Senior Professional Staff, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
Publications
o Human spaceflight to Mars. Published in STEM Magazine, Oct 2023
o To the Moon and beyond. Published in STEM Magazine, Jul 2022
o Empowering underrepresented groups to pursue engineering education and careers. Published in The Bulletin of Tau Beta Pi, Dec 2021
o Leveraging agile best practices for engineering design optimization in the aerospace industry. Published in STEM Magazine, Sep 2021
o You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work on rockets: My top three reasons why the aerospace industry needs you. Published in STEM Magazine, Apr 2021
o Empowering women to take on STEM leadership positions within the aerospace industry. Published in STEM for Women Magazine, Nov 2018
o Exploring the advancement of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) executive management positions in the aerospace industry: Strategies identified by women that enable success. Published in ProQuest (doctoral dissertation), November 2017
Professional Organizations
Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society