This year’s NASA Rising Star, Sarah Gordon, has built an ambitious academic and professional path. A student at the University of Cincinnati, she has already completed internships at both NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. This semester, she has taken her studies abroad to the National School of Decorative Arts (ENSAD) in Paris, France, expanding her global perspective.
“I didn’t realize that people were aware of the different projects that I was [working] on,” Sarah said. “Being surrounded by fellow interns and amazing mentors on each of the different teams I’ve been a part of—I am so grateful to whoever recognized me for this.”
As a recipient of the NASA Shining Star Award, Sarah’s achievement also reflects the strong network of support offered through organizations like the Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC). Funded by NASA, OSGC is part of the national Space Grant program that fosters STEM education through scholarships, research opportunities, and outreach across Ohio’s universities. Many students who engage with Space Grant programs go on to contribute to NASA missions, research, and innovation. The Shining Star Award—one of several accolades NASA presents to recognize exceptional early-career talent—highlights individuals who bring creativity, dedication, and measurable impact to their teams. Sarah’s recognition not only celebrates her own accomplishments but also underscores the value of partnerships between NASA and educational programs like OSGC that help prepare the next generation of explorers, scientists, and engineers.
Impactful Work at NASA
Sarah presenting storytelling and video work to a producer.
[Left] Sarah and a fellow intern training to use the TV studio. [Right] Sarah in front of the Roman Space Telescope.
During her time at NASA Goddard, Sarah contributed to several high-impact storytelling and communications projects. While some assignments required her to learn new skills quickly, she embraced the challenge with a collaborative spirit, drawing on the strengths of her teammates. Together, they produced creative, high-quality results that made an impact.
Another project is the Beyond Earth: A Celestial Odyssey project where Sarah proposed a looping visual motif to thematically connect diverse NASA missions into a unified emotional narrative. Her concept not only reframed the structure of the film but also influenced the direction of the composer’s early musical sketches. Her deep understanding of both narrative flow and musical pacing elevated the creative process for the entire team.
In Sarah’s award submission, Dr. Kathleen Loftin stated,
“She doesn’t wait to be asked; she finds ways to contribute, improve, and connect. Whether volunteering to redesign the Goddard “Front Door” website or jumping in to meet a deadline when a teammate was pulled away, Sarah brings energy, focus, and a strong sense of ownership to everything she does”.[BA1]
Looking Ahead
Sarah’s adaptability, dedication, and collaborative mindset have been key to her success in diverse environments. As she looks toward the future, she remains driven by a passion for growth and cultural exchange:
“I want to live and talk with diverse people and experience different places, perspectives, and build my mental model of the world,” said Sarah.
With her curiosity, resilience, and talent, it’s clear that Sarah Gordon is a rising star—one whose path is just beginning to shine.
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About Parallax Advanced Research & the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is an advanced research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements across Ohio and the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing aerospace through collaboration, education, and workforce development.
About The Ohio Space Grant Consortium
The Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC) was established in 1989 (along with the original Ohio 12-member universities) by the United States Congress and is part of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program known as “Space Grant” administered through the Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Headquarters. There are 52 consortia, one in each state, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Space Grant is a unique national network of colleges and universities working to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through scholarships, fellowships, higher education, research infrastructure, pre-college (K-12), and informal education public outreach efforts. The Space Grant national network includes over 1,000 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and state and local agencies. The OSGC is currently composed of 26 institutions of higher learning (20 universities and 6 community colleges), NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), and various education outreach partners. The OSGC Program Office is located at the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) in Cleveland, Ohio.