Distinguished Speakers Series: Moogega Cooper

Center for the Arts Mainstage Theatre A real life “Guardian of the Galaxy,” Moogega “Moo” Cooper holds the awesome responsibility of keeping the red planet safe from any of the Earth’s contaminants. Cooper is the planetary protection lead of the famed NASA 2020 Mars mission—with a highly viewed landing on February 18, 2021. Her work with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is integral to the ongoing mission to discern whether Mars could be habitable for humans and that we don’t harm what’s already there—a job she has been working up to for most of her life. After graduating from high school at 16, Cooper studied physics as an undergraduate, received a master's degree and went on to earn her PhD in mechanical engineering at 24 years old with a dissertation on spacecraft materials. Cooper is passionate about empowering organizations and others to achieve their dreams and overcome obstacles that she articulately conveys through her life story and love of her work. A role model for women in science and technology, she is also passionate about introducing more people to the wonders of the STEAM world, including by talking about her work to boys and girls from underrepresented communities and appearing on shows like “Because Space” and “Bill Nye Saves the World.” Cooper is a recipient of several awards, including the NASA Early Career Public Achievement Medal, the Charles Elachi Award for Exceptional Early Career Achievement and JPL Voyager Awards for Technical Leadership.