IAMA young scientist who has worked for NASA and other space agencies around the world. Also, today is my cake day. AMAA

How did you get into the industry? what courses did you do at Uni? If you could re-name one planet or moon, what would it be?

These are good questions. I got in by asking and taking the advice of the wise people I know. I applied for every opportunity I could find.

I took lots of programming, math, and physics classes. I also did as much independent research with my professors as I could do.

I really like the names of the planets and moons! Most stars however have really boring names. If I had the authority I would name one after my biggest influence, my mentor Shashi.

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I went to a public university in New York. I graduated summa with two science degrees. Now I'm pursuing a doctorate at Indiana University. This is my fifth year of college.

How old are you?!

I'm the ripe old age of 22.

What is your favorite book?

I have a lot of favorites!

For cognition I love Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter. It won the Pulitzer for uniting logic, music, art, math, and physics into a(n in)coherent masterpiece.

For outer space I enjoyed Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. For statistics and randomness I liked The Drunkard's Walk by the coauthor of the new edition of BHoT, Leonard Mlodinow.

I also recommend Abbott's Flatland, Asimov's Last Question, Borges' Library of Babel, and Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.

I would love some reading recommendations in return!

Carl Sagan's Cosmos and Contact.

Thanks! I have been meaning to read those. I'll let you know what I think!

So... aliens?

This is why I said almost anything. The things I wish I could tell you...

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I wrote software for the Cassini mission to Saturn. In particular I created a system that ensured messages being sent a billion kilometers through space would arrive safely to the satellite.

I'll answer your second question with a photo a little bit later. Right now I'm walking out the door to take my niece and nephew rollerskating, so I'll be back soon!

Wow, my uncle introduced me to the Cassini mission updates a few years ago and I can honestly say it was one of the driving forces behind my eventual love for astronomy and physics. I couldn't get enough of it. This is so cool to hear. Thanks for doing this AMA. :)

Thanks, I'm happy to do it!

Quick question, no disrespect: why would you post an AMA and then leave immediately?

I'm not gone, I can still post text but not pictures until I'm off my phone. I am however saving some of the questions until I can type up a detailed response.

How many push-ups can you do? And do they have an impact on the way NASA decides to ultimately pick up its astronauts?

I just did ten for you.

how do you feel about current budget crisis that's affecting NASA more than any other agencies? think private enterprise will eventually take over what NASA used to do?

It's a tragedy. I really think some people go to sleep at night and do not dream. What good is a dollar if it isn't being used to bring us closer to understanding the universe we inhabit? Certainly the problems we face in life can be solved by getting a more firm grasp on how the world really works.

I do think private space industries have a bright future, and given the opportunity I would be happy to do work with them.

You're adorable

I hope you mean that in a good way!

Yes! Not in a condescending way. You're swell!

Ha, thanks.

Quantum physics, or general relativity?

Yes.

First off, congrats on your accomplishments! You look so young!

Before I ask questions, it might help to know what level of education you're at. Post-doc? Grad student? Undergrad? High school?

It's my opinion that anyone with an interest in science can become a scientist, so I'm not sure which level to put you at! My questions will change based on your response.

Cheers.

Thanks! I'm a phd student at Indiana University, and I agree with that last statement wholeheartedly.

Is there any jobs in NASA for someone who loves space and videography/photography!? Please say yes!

Yes! Absolutely there is.

What's would be your advice for standing out from the crowd in terms of jobs, interviews, etc? Also, what do you do in your spare time?

Best wishes

Be nice and work hard. If a hundred candidates are more or less equally qualified, the employer will select the one they most want to spend their time with.

I spend most of my free time composing music in Guitar Pro and recording the parts on the guitar, bass, and drums. I've been studying music for most of my life now. Oh, and I also play a lot of League of Legends...

What's the space related thing you hope the most you will be able to witness someday?

I hope for at least these two major ones: to begin inhabiting other worlds, and to create a detailed map of the galaxy.

I also hope to witness personally space events. I would do anything to become an astronaut.

Man. You smart kids depress me. I'm the same age and I just finished undergrad... I'm applying to grad school in atmospheric science; I know this isn't really your field of expertise, but do you think that NASA will be placing more emphasis on fields like these now that less research money is being devoted to the space program?

NASA has always emphasized atmospheric science, so I think you'll do just fine :)

Where did you attend school and what did you get your degree in?

I have B.Sc. degrees in computer science and applied math from the Oswego State University of New York. I'm a doctoral student at Indiana University now, although I'm going to Japan to make robots for a while instead of taking classes.

Whoa, Japan? Robots? Like, those robots that look human?

Not quite. I make the minds of machines, not their bodies.

Elaborate on this being your cake day please, also what kind of phone do you use?

This is the day where I get cake. Does that clear it up?

HTC inspire.

Are you also a young atheist? Does being atheist make you a scientist? Does being a scientist make you an atheist? If you are an atheist does that still make you a theist?

Actual question: Where did you go to school and how did you like La Canada? Also did you spend any time at Caltech? I live in the area and a decent amount of my friends' parents work at JPL and Caltech and I hear the atmosphere, if you are a science person which if you are working there you definitely are, is unbeatable. Plus you get to live in SoCal so it's a win win right?

Science has not removed the possibility of the divine. It has however illustrated the immense improbability of the claims made in ancient texts. Personally I do not believe in any supernatural or non physical entities, but I do not necessarily think their existence is contradictory. Hence my belief in the existence of God is less strong than an implausible but possible event like, say, me winning the lottery--I did not play, but perhaps I will stumble upon the winning ticket on the street--but more strong than my belief in the existence of impossible objects like square circles.

To me the cosmos are god, and Her magnificence far exceeds all other conceptions.

How Spinozan of you.

;)

I would give anything to work for NASA. What was your major in college and was NASA always the plan, or just an opportunity you found later?

I studied computer science, math, and physics. I also spent considerable time studying philosophy, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence.

I've always admired the work done by NASA but never thought I would get to be a part of it. I feel very fortunate and thankful.

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I thought it might be cold outside. But in fact it was not...

If you don't mind me asking, what is your IQ?

No idea! I don't think it would benefit me to find out.

What advice would you have for someone who also wants to work for NASA? What college(s) and major(s) would be best to get to NASA with?

People from all walks of life work there. That being said, the most common major is aerospace engineering.

Was it hard to find employment initially? Seeing as you're only 22 and already doing this kind of stuff I'd imagine not, but I'm going to be starting college as a space physics major so I'm curious as to how difficult it was to find employment.

Honestly the trick is to put yourself out there. Apply for many competitive things that you might not get, especially if the only cost is time.

Are people today going to see another 'Curiosity-like-rover' land on another planet within our lifetimes?

Unless catastrophe occurs I think it is very likely.

And I thought I was doing good as a Systems Analyst at 21. Damn you...and great job!

Great job to you too!

Late to the party but you sir are awesome! And quite cute I might add! I wish i had the smarts to do that sort of thing.

Stay excellent!

Thanks!

How does it feel to know you'll always be second-fiddle in internet fame to the sideburns guy from the Curiosity launch? ;)

Not too bad, actually. That guy is pretty cool. I worked upstairs from him this summer.

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It seems very unlikely, which is why we'll have to work extra hard to make it a reality.

On that note, do you believe in the existence of extraterrestial life in the universe? And do you believe they have already visited us in the past? Happy birthday by the way.

I think it is highly probable that extraterrestrial life exists, but that it is very unlikely that they visited us in the past. I think a lot of popular sources making these claims dramatically underestimate the capacity of humans to think and perform without modern computers. We're a pretty smart species.

Why do you believe it is unlikely?

I have not seen good evidence for it.

Are you a time cop?

No. Of course not. Don't be ridiculous... How do you know about time cops?!

Is there anything that we should know that NASA hides from us?? Like a giant comet or something?

Not at all. The only things NASA keeps private are technologies that would benefit their competitors. In contrast, all discoveries are announced immediately: it benefits the individual scientists and NASA itself to be the first to make any such announcement. Moreover NASA publicly releases the data they accumulate, so if they discovered something but did not announce it, it would not be long before someone else did.

Aliens, do they exist?

Most probably.

what did you get for cake day?

Lots of good questions! :)

ALIENS. TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ALIENS.

I wish I could but I cannot.

WHY! MAKE AN ANON ACCOUNT AND TELL US.

How will you know if the anonymous account is sharing legitimate information? Someone could masquerade as the anonymous me and spread falsehoods!

No questions just:

1. You're really cute.
2. Your intelligence intimidates me.

You're too kind!