Marla E. Pérez-Davis was hired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Glenn Research Center in 1983. She has made major contributions to NASA through leading and managing both space and aeronautics research projects. Currently, Dr. Perez-Davis serves as Chief of the Project Liaison and Integration Office at NASA Glenn Research Center. In this capacity, she is responsible for planning, coordinating, directing and supervising all phases of the office work.
Primary responsibilities are to implement, integrate and manage all phases of technical management and resources analysis and controls. Support the GRC Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Point of Contact in program and project integration and advocacy with NASA Headquarters and other GRC organizations.
She was a participant of the 2004 Senior Executive Service Candidate Developmental Program (SESCDP) and successfully completed the aforementioned Office of Personnel (OPM) program. Prior to SESCDP, she served as Chief of the Electrochemistry Branch. As Chief of the Electrochemistry Branch, managed the research and technology (R&T) workforce and effort as part of the core competency of the Electrochemistry Branch. The primary responsibility of the Branch is to carry out research and development, component design, cell fabrication, tests, advanced system conception and preliminary evaluation as it relates to electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
She served as the recruitment and planning team lead for the Educator Astronaut Program, as part of a special assignment at NASA Headquarters. Dr. Pérez-Davis was the Research and Technology Lead in the Plans and Programs Office. She assisted the Chief of Plans and Programs Office in evaluating high level strategic plans and policies and designing implementation plans and associated processes.
She participated in the NASA Administrator’s Fellowship Program (NAFP) and served her tenure at the University Of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus. She developed and implemented initiatives leading to K-12 teacher’s professional development and other outreach activities in Puerto Rico. Before her participation in the NAFP, she was responsible for the planning, advocacy and management of the base research and technology activities related to supersonic cruise propulsion systems, Fast Quiet Engine, at NASA Glenn.
Perez-Davis holds a Bachelor and Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and University of Toledo, respectively. She holds a Ph.D. Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. During her career, Dr. Perez-Davis has received numerous awards. Among those awards are the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award – Alumni Association of University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, 2003 Women in Aerospace Award for Aerospace Awareness, 2001 Women of Color Technology Award for Career Achievement, and the 2001 Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Santiago Rodriguez Diversity Award.
