Dr. Tara Samuels is the Head of Operations in the Science Directorate, ensuring operational compliance and streamlining directorate business practices. She is also the Center’s Chief Knowledge Officer, responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of the Center’s knowledge management activities.

Previously, Dr. Samuels served as the acting Chief of the Flight Systems Implementation Branch in the Science Directorate, where she was responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, payload and mission concept development, staff supervision, contract management, and space and workforce planning. She also served as the acting Strategy and Operations Officer in the Spaceflight Division in the Engineering Directorate, leading business strategy and establishing operational cadence for the then-nascent organization. She was a Systems Engineer on a variety of ISS payload missions and served as Systems Safety Engineer for spaceflight, ISS payload, and airborne projects.

Dr. Samuels holds an MS in Aerospace Engineering and an MBA from San Jose State University and received her Ph.D. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  In her spare time, she is a prolific speaker who is passionate about supporting the next generation of leaders and doers.  She volunteers as a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador and holds the rank of Captain in the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, where she has served as a Mission Transport Pilot.