The People of NASA: Meet Madison Alger, Experiment Support Scientist

by Linda Grimm | 2023-09-07

Madison Alger is a relatively new member of NASA’s contractor team who joined as an experiment support scientist with the Human Research Program in January 2022. In this role, Alger collaborates with the principal investigators for human research experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station.

Human research involves studying how the human body reacts and adapts to time spent in space, as well as the steps scientists can identify to minimize any adverse spaceflight effects. Alger’s responsibilities include assessing the feasibility of experiments for flight, establishing baselines, creating documentation to guide the research, and obtaining crew members’ consent to participate.

“Experiment support scientists are basically the liaisons between the principal investigators and all of operations,” she said. “Our job is to make sure everything is well-coordinated and goes smoothly.”

Professional portrait of a young woman with long brown hair. — Professional headshot of Madison Alger. **Credit: NASA/Lauren Hudson**

Alger’s other responsibilities include conducting pre-flight research trainings for crew members, during which she helps to instruct the astronauts on collecting and processing biological samples such as blood and urine. Alger also provides live support to crew members from the Mission Control Center as they conduct experiments aboard the space station. She said the time she has spent in astronaut trainings and on-console are among her most memorable experiences at NASA to date.

“Getting to have direct interaction with the crew is always incredibly memorable, because usually we’re just watching from the sidelines,” she said. “I really appreciate those moments and those supporting operations in flight. You get to see the fruits of your labor.”

A young woman sitting at a desk looks at several large computer screens. — Madison Alger at her workstation in the Telescience Support Center (TSC), a room within the Mission Control Center that is dedicated to supporting the Human Research Program's experiments aboard the International Space Station. At this workstation, Alger supports real-time operations on the space station and ensures all experiment requirements are met. **Credit: NASA/Lauren Hudson**

Alger currently supports several different studies, including the suite of human research experiments known as CIPHER (Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research). Part of what makes her job enjoyable, Alger said, is that each of these experiments are in a different stage – some are just beginning, others are in the midst of data collection, and some are nearing completion – which means that every day is different. “Sometimes I'm in mission control, sometimes I'm sitting in my office tracking data and different collections, and then sometimes I'm getting to spend time with the astronauts and train them.”

A Houston native with a family member working on the Cargo Mission Contract, Alger said she was always interested in human spaceflight and related research, but she never planned for a career with NASA. Alger studied biomedical sciences and neuroscience at Texas A&M University with a goal to become a physician’s assistant and get into neurosurgery. After graduating in 2021, Alger worked as a COVID-19 case investigator for the Texas Department of State Health Services, and then as a phlebotomist in an acute care hospital. These experiences led Alger to consider other biomedical sciences careers. Shortly thereafter, she stumbled upon her current contract position with NASA.

A woman practices drawing a blood sample from her arm. — Madison Alger participates in a high-fidelity ultrasound simulation as a crew surrogate in the Building 9 Payload Development Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center on Feb. 23, 2022. **Credit: NASA/Monica Carmona**

Although Alger has not been at NASA long, she has already made a big impact. “Madison is patient, kind, inspiring, and a joy to be around in the office every day,” said one colleague. “She constantly takes on tasks without hesitation and helps others in the office when they need support. She has a heart of gold.”

Alger attributes her professional success to several factors, including the opportunities to connect with great mentors at NASA. “Getting to see them and their dedication to their work every day was very inspiring to me, and I think that played a huge role in how hard I work today,” she said. Alger also said her faith is very important to her and she tries to apply that to her job. In addition, she encourages others to not become too engrossed in the day-to-day details of their jobs, so they do not forget their purpose and the impact they are having.

Four women pose in front of a projector screen and computer bank. — The certified instructors who teach biosampling to astronauts participating in human research experiments that require biological samples as data points. From left to right are Alexis Little, Shelby Weyand, Madison Alger, and Sophia Vargas. **Credit: NASA**

Asked what advice she would give to someone pursuing a career at NASA, Alger emphasized the importance of resiliency because spaceflight is always changing. “That’s the biggest lesson I’ve had to learn,” she said. “You always have to problem solve, and you have to be patient, and you have to have lots of backup plans. If something doesn’t work, you have to get back up and try another plan and hope it works out.” Alger also said it is important to trust yourself and your abilities. “You're making some pretty big decisions when you work at NASA, and they have pretty big impact, long-lasting impact,” she said. “So, if you have confidence in yourself and the training that you were given, that will go a long way.”

Alger looks forward to seeing the outcomes of the experiments she currently supports and how all of the research aboard the orbiting laboratory will benefit future astronauts and civilians as they travel to Mars or beyond. “All of this research has a purpose to help those who are still on Earth, but also help astronauts on long-term space flights or on a different planet,” she said. “There are so many things to look forward to, really.”