Notable Alumni

Bio

Trent Smith '01, '05 M.S. is currently the project manager for NASA’s in-orbit gardens on ISS Veggie and works for the ISS Program at Kennedy Space Center to maximize ISS science in the orbiting laboratory. He received both his B.S. and M.S. in chemistry from Florida Tech. After graduating with honors with his Bachelor of Science degree, he worked in polymer chemistry developing new materials with Professor Gordon Nelson while earning his master’s degree.

Trent has enjoyed an extended career at NASA. He started his work there as a polymer chemist, later going on to serve as a part of the Commercial Crew Program where he worked to get NASA astronauts back into space on U.S.-led space systems. Trent was also a NASA detailed and technical advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. He also worked as the vehicle processing engineer for Ares I-X, providing technical and operational leadership for the Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate. He served as the transition project lead for Kennedy Space Center facilities for the transition and retirement of the space shuttle program. He also led the team that decommissioned and retired MLP1, as well as saved and transferred Pad B to the Constellation Program while still safely launching shuttles from Pad A.

Trent has received several awards during his 15-year career at NASA, including a Spaceflight Awareness Award, a KSC Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Leadership, two NASA Superior Accomplishment Awards for Leadership, R&D100 Award, NASA’s Commercial Invention of the Year Award, Silver Achievement Medal, Exceptional Service Medal and more than 18 Space Act Awards for inventions and innovations. Smith also has 10 patents granted or pending and has authored two book chapters and more than 18 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and government reports.