Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne

Alexandra Murray

Published: August 31, 2024

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne is an all-around space science mastermind from aerospace engineering to rocket science. Dr. Alleyne was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on October 12, 1966. She migrated to the United States of America at 17 years old with space on her mind and in her dreams. Her parents valued education heavily and pushed her to be her best self using her gifts. Furthermore, she attended an all-girls school in Trinidad which she stated helped her build confidence and find the career path that resonated with her. She found that her brain was analytical and perfectly wired for math and sciences. Therefore, that's the path she chose to take. Even from a young age she was interested in current space discoveries and space shows like “Star Trek” and “The Jetsons”. All these factors would later shape her future as one of the most influential Caribbean women in space science.

Dr. Alleyne first started her college journey at Howard University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 1990. She then attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University for her Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Composite Materials. Later, she attended the University of Maryland for her Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering. She now has 3 degrees, which for most people is more than enough. However, she still reached

for even higher education. She subsequently attended the University of Houston and

gained her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and attended the Yale School of Management for Executive Leadership and Women's Leadership in 2020. She has a total of 4 prestigious degrees and she's used them to their full potential.                                     

Dr. Alleyna started as a Space Shuttle Payloads Fluid Systems Test Engineer for NASA in 1992. She worked as a Lead Fluid Systems Engineer; she had already started her career off by being a leader. She later went on to become the Lead Systems and Test Engineer Lead Systems and Test Engineer for the United States Department of Defense in 1998. After a while, she went back to NASA and worked there for 20 years climbing up the ranks. She moved from Lead Systems Engineer for Constellation Systems Division to Orion Crew Module Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test Manager, to Associate Program Scientist for the International Space Station, to Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, Science Mission Directorate, to Deputy.

Manager of Commercial Lunar Payload Services, and finally to Deputy Manager of commercial LEO Development Program which she left in January of 2024. She is also the founder of two organizations. She founded The Brightest Stars Foundation in 2007 to not only push young women into the field of STEM but also to become leaders in the field. The organization focuses on “educating, empowering, and inspiring” these young women. Furthermore, she is the founder and CEO of Arusha Space. This company is a “geospatial analytics and space consulting company” focused on creating change in the world of space. 

Dr. Alleyne is a natural-born leader who inspires girls worldwide who are interested in STEM, especially Caribbean girls. She proves that no matter where you come from or what you look like you can make a name for yourself in your passion if you push hard enough.

Sources:

“Www.Camillewalleyne.Com.” Mysite, www.camillewalleyne.com/. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. 

Federation, International Astronautical. “Camille Alleyne.” IAF, www.iafastro.org/biographie/camillealleyne.html#:~:text=In%20the%20highly%20technical%20fields,leadership%20position%20at%20the%20NASA. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. 

Trotman, Wayne Gerard. “Interview with Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne.” Interview with Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, 12 June 2013, redmoonchronicle.blogspot.com/2013/06/interview-with-dr-camille-wardrop.html. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. 

“Program That’s Fine-Tuned to Accelerate Your Work - Ascend Space Event.” ASCEND, 12 Feb. 2024, www.ascend.events/speaker/camille-alleyne/. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024. 

Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com/in/cwalleyne/. Accessed 29 Aug. 2024.