OCS Seminars
LCDR Dr. Leedjia Svec: The Consequences of Cake on Mars and other Lessons Learned from a Navy NASA Liaison
Abstract:
Navy Commander (select) Svec will share her lessons learned and resources gained from the past three years as Director of Military Programs and liaison between the DoD and NASA Ames. Topics to be covered include best practices for building relationships, DoD resources acquired for all of NASA to utilize (such as no cost research and think tanks), DoD opportunities for Ames project support (such as funded student programs), relationship development (such as Scientist to Sea), technical discoveries, and of course, the consequences of cake on Mars.
Biography:
Commander (select) Leedjia Svec is a Naval Officer at NASA Ames, tasked with catalyzing and facilitating innovative partnerships and sharing of scientific knowledge and resources to make technology go faster and further. She studied psychology and engineering technology at University of the Pacific, studied abroad at the University of Melbourne Australia, obtained her MA/PhD in vision science from the University of Nevada, Reno, a second MA in International Relations at Saint Mary’s University, with distinction, where she engaged in hands on conflict transformation internationally, and is certified in Human Systems Integration from the Naval Post Graduate school. Achievements and awards include; STEM Influencer of the Year Award from Women in STEM, NASA Equal Opportunity Medal, Silicon Valley Women of Influence award, fellow of Norwich University Institute of Culture and Language, international young investigator award from the Aerospace Medical Association, national engaged leader award, Officer of the Quarter, selection for Who’s Who among college students, Lockheed Martin top three project intern award, and over 100 publications/presentations. She is an avid STEM and diversity advocate.
