BSIE ‘91
With more than 30 years of contributions and accomplishments in the country’s civilian space program, Dr. Lisa Watson-Morgan has proven her leadership expertise and subject matter strengths throughout her career at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
A Huntsville native, Watson-Morgan graduated in 1991 from The University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. She received her master’s degree in systems engineering in 1994 and her doctorate in engineering management in 2008 from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Watson-Morgan began her career with NASA working as a data systems engineer at Marshall while she was still a student at UA. She held this position until 1999 when she became the mission support requirements and development team lead.
After taking a year to solely work on her doctorate, Watson-Morgan worked as ground systems operations branch chief while she completed her degree. She then began to move up through several positions in Science and Missions Systems from 2008-2011 including deputy chief engineer, assistant manager and acting chief engineer.
In 2011, Watson-Morgan became chief engineer of Flight Programs and Partnerships. She was named acting associate director for Technical Engineering Directorate in 2013 and was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. After working in that position, Watson-Morgan was manager in the Office of Chief Engineer until 2015 and manager of the Spacecraft and Vehicle Systems Department, Engineering until 2018.
During the next two years, she worked as associate director for operations in engineering and then as deputy director of engineering. As deputy director, Watson-Morgan oversaw more than 2,300 employees who worked to develop, test and deliver spaceflight hardware and software.
She was chosen as program manager of the Human Landing System program in July 2019. In this position, Watson-Morgan oversees the planning and creation of integrated lunar landing systems that will transport the first woman and next man to the moon in the next five years. With help from industry, Watson-Morgan’s team will support NASA’s Artemis Program, which will enable long-term visits to the moon by 2026 and facilitate the next steps to reaching Mars.
Among the several awards she has earned during her time with NASA, three of the most notable are the 2001 Exceptional Service Medal, 2010 Exceptional Achievement Medal and 2018 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award.
Watson-Morgan and her husband, Patrick, live in Huntsville. The couple have three children, Macie, Evan and Ethan.