Catherine E. Graves

Catherine Graves is the Director of the Office of STEM Engagement (Acting) at NASA John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Graves is responsible for the development and implementation of a portfolio of innovative partnerships and programs that leverage NASA’s unique mission content, facilities and workforce to cultivate the next generation of STEM professionals needed for our nation’s growing space economy.  The Office of STEM Engagement collaborates with aerospace industries, universities, technical colleges, secondary education institutions, and youth-serving organizations to broaden the pathways for students entering aerospace careers through internships, fellowships, challenges, and work-based learning opportunities. Through these direct engagement activities, students build essential STEM and technical skills that are in demand by aerospace employers.  In her current role, Dr. Graves is responsible for national, regional, and local STEM engagement activities reaching students at all levels including precollege, technical and higher education, and postdoctoral.

Experience

Prior to this assignment, Dr. Graves, served as the project manager for numerous Agency and Center STEM activities that have engaged millions of students throughout the United States and globally in NASA’s missions of exploration and discovery including NASA Explorer Schools, NASA Digital Learning Network, Interdisciplinary National Science Project Incorporating Research and Education Experience (INSPIRE), MUREP Aerospace Academy, and MUREP Precollege Summer Institute. She has held a variety of Agency leadership roles including leading the Office of STEM Engagement’s performance assessment and evaluation efforts at NASA Headquarters.

Dr. Graves started her career as a molecular biologist researching nuclear steroid hormone receptors and the effects of a variety of chemotherapy agents on secondary tumor suppression.  Then continued her career as a science educator, teaching high school physics, chemistry, and biology at Bowling Green High School and later middle school science at Lorain City Schools.  Dr. Graves has instructed undergraduate biology courses at the University of Toledo and served as an adjunct faculty member at Oklahoma State University teaching elementary science teaching methods courses.  She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and education from Bowling Green State University and Master of Science degrees in molecular biology and education from the University of Toledo. She earned her doctorate in science education from Oklahoma State University and is a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescent science. She has over twenty years of service to NASA earning numerous awards including the Ohio Governor’s Award for Educational Leadership, an Emmy Award and several Remi and Telly awards for NASA Now and NASA Digital Learning Network educational programming, the Harvard Ash Center’s Bright Ideas Award for NASA Explorer Schools, several United States Distance Learning Association Platinum Awards for NASA Digital Learning Network, and four NASA Group Achievement Awards.  Dr. Graves has been inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Delta Kappa, and Golden Key honor societies.

Dr. Graves is a classically trained musician and enjoys playing flute in community orchestras and the Glenn Band, playing piano, and singing in her church’s choir where she also serves as an elder.  She is a member of Lakeland Woman’s Club and actively engages in a variety of civic engagement and community service activities. 

Contact Information

Glenn Research Center – Office of STEM Engagement
21000 Brookpark Rd., MS 7-4
Cleveland, OH 44135
Phone: 216-433-6656
Fax: 216-433-3344
Email: grc-ed-opportunities@mail.nasa.gov

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