Carissma McGee recognized for impact in space, policy, and community
Graduate student Carissma McGee has been recognized with multiple honors this spring, reflecting her leadership and growing impact at the intersection of aerospace engineering, intellectual property law, and space policy.
McGee is a PhD candidate in STAR Lab, advised by Prof. Kerri Cahoy. Her research focuses on characterizing scientific Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductors (sCMOS) sensors for space-based applications, developing machine learning approaches for radiation-induced artifact detection, and advancing CubeSat mission design. She currently serves as Project Manager for the AI-Cube CubeSat mission under the MIT Portugal Program.
MLK Leadership Award
McGee received the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award for Graduate Students as part of MIT’s annual MLK Celebration.
From her nomination:
“[Carissma’s] service to MIT and to broader communities reflects a rare combination of leadership, mentorship, and visionary commitment. She has become a central force in creating inclusive, empowering spaces for students from all backgrounds, especially those whose voices are historically overlooked.
[Carissma] embodies Dr. King’s legacy through her steadfast commitment to justice, empowerment, and community uplift. Her work reflects a belief that education is not simply a personal achievement but a vehicle for societal transformation.”
Carissma joins numerous past MLK Leadership Award winners from Course XVI, including distinguished alumni and faculty members. This is the third year in a row that an AeroAstro graduate student has won the award, following Alvin Harvey in 2024 and Ciarra Ortiz in 2025.
She was also the recipient of an award by the Council for the Advancement of Black Students (CABS).
A Fellow of the Space Beach Law Lab
McGee was selected as a Fellow for the 2026 Space Beach Law Lab, an annual space law conference that offers insight into the evolving legal and regulatory landscape of the space industry. As part of the program, she also served as an ambassador for the inaugural U.S. space law moot court, held by the American Space Law Foundation alongside the National Society of Black Engineers conference.
“The highlight of the experience was speaking on a panel titled ‘Managing Orbital Issues with Law, Policy & Software,’ moderated by George John of Hogan Lovells,” McGee said. “I was joined by an incredible group of professionals shaping the future of space operations: Josef Koller (Amazon Leo), Argyris Kriezis (Xona Space Systems), Nick Simon (Impulse Space), and Memme Onwudiwe (Lecturer at Harvard Law School). The conversation centered on how law, policy, and software must work together to address one of the most pressing challenges in space, orbital congestion and debris management.”
“Beyond the panel, I had the opportunity to connect with leading experts, academics, and policymakers from across the space and legal industries,” she added. “Space Beach Law Lab is truly a unique space where the legal and commercial futures of the space industry get worked out in real time and I’m grateful to have been part of this year’s cohort.”
Outstanding Delaware Woman in STEM
McGee has been selected as a 2026 Outstanding Delaware Woman in STEM by Million Women Mentors – Delaware. A native of Bear, Delaware, she was one of ten honorees recognized as part of Delaware Women & Girls in STEM Day on March 24.
Boston Intellectual Property Law Association
As a member of the Boston Intellectual Property Law Association, McGee developed a strong understanding of MIT’s patent landscape during an IAP internship at the Technology Licensing Office as a second-year graduate student. As a member of the organization and a community advocate, she nominated AeroAstro postdoctoral fellow Dr. Arthur Brown’s patents for recognition. Both patents, U.S. Patent No. 12,404,844 “Ducted Electroaerodynamic Thrusters,” and U.S. Patent No. 12,486,025 “Surface-Integrated Electroaerodynamic Thrusters” were honored at the 15th annual Invented Here! reception, held on Wednesday, March 4.
The Invented Here! award celebrates New England innovators, their inventions, and the stories behind their work. This was the first time any patent from MIT Aeronautics & Astronautics was honored in the event’s history.
2026 Miss Massachusetts Black United States
McGee was selected as the 2026 Miss Massachusetts Black United States in January. This semester, she spoke at the MIT Black Women’s Alliance Annual Gala sponsored by MIT AeroAstro, volunteered with the Baker Center for Children and Families, and took a quick trip from the lab to attend Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s first-ever Community Office Hours.
