Danielle DeLatte Joins Advisory Board for Science Policy Review

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Danielle DeLatte, an aerospace engineer at Draper, is joining the advisory board for the Science Policy Review, a scientist-run journal that publishes essays about tough scientific problems, emerging technologies and policy. The publication, based at MIT in Cambridge, MA, is founded by scientists and engineers who have attended or currently attend MIT and other top universities.

DeLatte says her focus at the Science Policy Review is on space issues and technologies, which is a natural fit. DeLatte earned her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at MIT, master’s degree in space studies at International Space University and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering at the University of Tokyo. She’s worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and Tohoku University’s Space Robotics Laboratory.

“One of the things I’ve really enjoyed about my career path is getting to understand the space industry in different contexts,” DeLatte said. “At the end of the day, I have three degrees from three continents and a much broader perspective of what space means to all those different cultures, which I think is powerful. It makes me more empathetic and a better communicator in terms of space outreach.”

Anthony Tabet agrees. As Science Policy Review’s founder and editor-in-chief, his aim is to publish essays that take complicated technological challenges and opportunities and convey them in a jargon-free and accessible way to a broad audience. “Our journal is targeted towards stakeholders including the general public, elected officials and members of the executive branch. Danielle’s understanding of space technology, policy and global issues is an important addition to our advisory board.”

In addition to her work at Draper, DeLatte is a regular contributor to Letters to a Pre-Scientist. In Japan, DeLatte launched Space Café Tokyo and its follow-up, Space Café Global.

Next up DeLatte will host a group as part of a U.S. Congress initiative called the Open World program that brings young professionals from overseas to learn about the U.S. “If there is one thing traveling has taught me, it’s that people who operate in multiple worlds are better at switching between different domains,” DeLatte said. “Diversity in the space industry is going to be our path to success in every dimension.”