Last month, Makenzie Lystrup ’00 was sworn in—on Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot”—as the first female director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. After majoring in physics at Portland State, Lystrup went on to earn a PhD in astrophysics from University College London, served as a Congressional Fellow for U.S. Representative Edward Markey and served as vice president and general manager of Ball Aerospace’s Civil Space Strategic Business Unit, among other positions.
We asked Lystrup to reflect on her time at PSU and her new role.
What was it like to be named the director–and first female director– of Goddard Space Flight Center? And how did you get the idea to do your swearing in with Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot”?
Goddard is a very special place. It is the world’s largest community of space scientists and engineers and is responsible for NASA’s most important science missions. The people are the best in the world and the work Goddard accomplishes is inspiring. It is of course personally exciting to take on the challenge of leading this amazing institution into the future. It is also a serious responsibility that I don’t take lightly. Mentors of mine include past Goddard Center Directors, and I hope to live up to their legacies.
Like many astronomers and space scientists, my passion started with watching Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos” on public television as a child. Sagan worked very hard to make science accessible and meaningful to everyone, and “Pale Blue Dot” emphasizes the importance of exploring our universe and understanding our home planet. I chose it for its personal significance to me and how its message resonates with the work done at NASA Goddard on behalf of the world.
The PSU Physics family showed me that a supportive, collaborative, challenging, and fun work environment helps everyone thrive. I’ve taken that lesson with me throughout my career.
Makenzie Lystrup
What excites you the most about your new role?
Goddard has an amazing past and present, including the success of the James Webb Space Telescope. I’m excited about working with the team to chart our course forward into the future and lead our journey to the Goddard of 2040.
What is your favorite memory from your time at PSU?
Meeting my life partner, Bryan Hoff, who is a graduate of the Electrical Engineering program. We met in a physics class and our first date was at “Science Building 3” (AKA the McMenamins Market Street Pub)!
Stay curious – about everything. Commit yourself to constantly learning new things.
Makenzie Lystrup
How did your time at PSU shape your career?
So many ways! I developed a deeper love of physics and astronomy through the passion, creativity, and humor of the Physics Department professors — particularly Erik Bodegom, Monica Halka, Peter Leung, and Jack Semura. My fellow physics students Annette Kolodzie and Scott MacIntosh, who helped me get through all those homework problem sets, became lifelong friends. The PSU Physics family showed me that a supportive, collaborative, challenging, and fun work environment helps everyone thrive. I’ve taken that lesson with me throughout my career.
What advice do you have for current Portland State students interested in a career like yours?
Stay curious – about everything. Commit yourself to constantly learning new things. Take opportunities that are outside your comfort zone; if it’s exciting but scary, do it. I also believe that the bedrock of success, particularly for leaders, is having clear-eyed self awareness. I cannot put it better than the Tao Te Ching: “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.”
Featured image caption: Director of Goddard Space Flight Center Dr. Makenzie Lystrup in her swearing-in ceremony Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Credits: NASA/Keegan Barber