Max parks
Physics / Astronomy / Policy
Washington, D.C.
About
Hi! I'm Max.
I graduated as a triple major from the University of Texas at Austin, studying physics, astronomy, and science policy. I currently work at NASA Goddard and NASA Headquarters, researching Ceres and developing exploration policy for Mars.I want to study planetary science. I want to make a healthier scientific community, by advocating for better science education. I want to make the world a better place, by helping citizens understand the scientific process.
- Read my thesis on the politics of crewed spaceflight
- Hear my talk about how commercialization of space can be a good thing
- See my talk on science and citizenship, at Astronomy on Tap
- Scan my resume, to know what I've done!
Radio
I went on the science radio show at University of Texas, "They Blinded Me with Science," to talk about the possibilities of the private space sector.
Video
I gave a talk on the interaction between science and government at Astronomy on Tap in Austin, Texas.
Thesis
I wrote a 50 page thesis on American crewed space programs after Apollo, and their political context. I used government documents and journalism contemporary to the programs to investigate the validity of the narratives which today surround the post-Apollo era. In particular, I found that since the 1960s, U.S. space programs are driven more by domestic policy, rather than the often claimed foreign competition as characterized by a race against the Soviets.
University of Texas
- Bachelors of Science in physics
- Bachelors of Science in astronomy
- Bachelors of Arts in science policy
Experience
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Research Associate through CRESST II and University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyNASA Headquarters
Project CoordinatorSpace Telescope Institute
Astronomy Research AssistantNASA Headquarters
Office of Legislative Affairs InternMoon Express
Multimedia Associate
Skill Set
- System Analysis
- Laboratory experiment design
- Mathematica
- Python
- Technical Writing
- Strategic Policy
- Outreach and public communication
Contact
Ask a question, or just say hi