Background
Dr. Michelle Hawkins is the Program Manager for Atmospheric Composition and Resilience. In this role, Michelle advances understanding of atmospheric systems while developing adaptive solutions that promote resilience. With extensive experience managing multidisciplinary programs, Michelle connects integrates cutting-edge science into actionable solutions for industries and communities.
Prior to joining NASA, Michelle was a Senior Advisor at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where she worked to ensure communities can prepare for and recover from extreme weather. Prior to joining HUD, Michelle was selected as a Fellow in the prestigious White House Leadership Development Program where she spent sixteen months at the White House Council on Environmental Quality as Director for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer. In this role Michelle led efforts to advance progress on the nation’s top environmental challenges.
Michelle previously served as Chief of the Severe, Fire, Public, and Winter Weather Services Branch at NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS). She oversaw the development of requirements, policy, and procedures for NWS forecast and warning services for some of the nation’s most dangerous weather hazards. Michelle also led initiatives across the federal government to better understand, communicate, and minimize the health impacts of extreme heat, resulting in collaborative life-saving improvements to federal heat services.
In 2019 Michelle received the Black Engineer of the Year Modern Day Technology Leader Award, which recognizes professionals who are shaping the future of STEM in their careers and communities. Michelle is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and holds a B.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from Howard University.