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Dr. Aprille Ericsson
Rocket Scientist, Technologist & STEM Educator
Dr. Aprille Ericsson
Rocket Scientist, Technologist & STEM Educator
Biography
Honorable Aprille J. Ericsson is the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology (S&T). In this role, she directs an organization responsible for the oversight of and advocacy for the Department of Defense (DoD) S&T enterprise, including S&T workforce and laboratory infrastructure policy, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and University-Affiliated Research Centers. The ASD(S&T) office also oversees a broad portfolio of S&T programs, including basic research, Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer, and DoD Manufacturing Technology, and nine Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. Additionally, the ASD(S&T) office encourages inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility through focused outreach and interaction with Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Minority Institutions and K-12 programs. Furthermore, the ASD(S&T) office is responsible for technology and program protection.
Prior to joining the DoD, Dr. Ericsson worked for more than 30 years at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in various positions. Her last role at NASA was the New Business Lead for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Instrument Systems and Technology Division. In this role she fostered technical federal partnerships that enable industry, small businesses, and academia collaboration to compete for opportunities to solve strategic R&D challenges. Dr. Ericsson also has served as the NASA GSFC program manager for Small Business and Innovative Research within the Innovative Technology and Partnerships Office. Her additional roles at NASA include: GSFC Deputy to the Chief Technologist for the Engineering and Technology Directorate; HQs Program Executive for Earth Science; HQs Business Executive for Space Science, and GSFC Instrument Project Manager for missions that include the James Webb Space Telescope and ICESat-2. Her early engineering roles include design, analysis, and build of attitude control systems and robotics.
Dr. Ericsson is a champion for STEM education and the future workforce. Throughout her career she has sat on many academic boards for the National Academies, universities, and K-12 institutions. Prior to her appointment she has been mentor to many NASA interns and students, college professor, as well as lead advisor for a National Society Black Engineers Jr. Chapter.
Dr. Ericsson received her Bachelor of Science in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received a masters and doctorate in mechanical engineering, aerospace option from Howard University. Dr. Ericsson has obtained leadership and management certificates from Radcliffe University and John Hopkins University.
Dr. Ericsson is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Western Society of Engineers, 2016 Washington Award; The Engineering Honor Society, 2018 Tau Beta PI Distinguished Alumnus award; and, the top American Society of Mechanical Engineering award, the 2022 Ralph Coates Roe Medal. Dr. Ericsson was the first African American female, as well as the first American, to receive a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Howard University, the aerospace option from Howard University, in addition to being the first African American female to receive a Ph.D. in engineering at NASA GSFC.
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