Dr. Aprille Ericsson-Jackson is the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University. She has worked as an aerospace engineer for over twenty-seven years at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). When she started working at GSFC, her job title was altitude control systems analyst. In this job, Dr. Ericsson-Jackson made sure the satellites that orbit or move along a curved path around the earth, follow the correct trajectory or path.

Today, Dr. Ericsson-Jackson continues to work at NASA GSFC as the New Business Lead in Instrument Systems and Technology Division.