Carissma McGee: Integrating Technical Analysis and Space Policy
Carissma McGee recently completed dual master's degrees in aeronautics and astronautics and public policy at MIT. Her academic and research work centers on integrating technical analysis with policy decisions within the space sector, specifically addressing intellectual property and international collaboration. McGee is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at MIT.
Her academic and research work centers on integrating technical analysis with policy decisions within the space sector, specifically addressing intellectual property and international collaboration.
Educational Background and Early Career
McGee's interest in space began in high school, leading her to volunteer at an observatory and complete an internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. She attended Howard University as a Karsh STEM Scholar.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she interned with U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, where she drafted letters concerning STEM education and energy reform, and advocated for astronomy and space sciences.
As an undergraduate, McGee conducted research in computational physics and astronomy. Her research experiences included working with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Yale University, and the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics' Black Hole Initiative, where she contributed to the Event Horizon Telescope project.
MIT Research and Contributions
At MIT, McGee joined the Space, Telecommunications, Astronomy, and Radiation Laboratory (STAR Lab) under Professor Kerri Cahoy. Her academic program was structured to allow for a dual thesis, combining aeronautics and astronautics with space policy through the Technology and Policy Program. Her research primarily focused on exoplanet astrophysics within satellite missions and CubeSats.
In 2024, McGee was awarded a MathWorks Fellowship. This fellowship supported her involvement with NASA's exoplanet group and her contributions to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission.
A significant development from her work is PyLIMASS, a software system she co-developed. PyLIMASS is designed to improve mass and distance estimates in gravitational microlensing events, a tool intended to support the Roman Space Telescope's exoplanet studies.
Recognition and Community Involvement
McGee graduated in May 2025 with her dual master's degrees. She presented her research at the American Astronomical Society meeting and the Technology Management and Policy Conference. She is continuing her studies as a doctoral candidate at MIT.
As an MIT BAMIT Community Advancement Program and Fund Fellow, McGee organized a conference for STEM students on intellectual property frameworks. Her acknowledgments include being named Miss Black Massachusetts United States in 2026, an MIT Graduate Student of Excellence award, and the MIT MLK Leadership Award in 2026.
Beyond her academic pursuits, McGee teaches Pilates, participates in the Graduate Women in Aerospace Engineering group, and serves as a graduate resident assistant.