Nilufar Ramji, Strategic Communications Specialist, NASA

Nilufar Ramji is a Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Specialist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She leads a team in the design and implementation of agency-wide communication plans and events for science and exploration efforts of the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Her work includes strategic communication planning, video production, social media support, publication of press releases and serving as the public affairs representative between NASA and the media. 

Ramji’s career, which includes over a decade of experience in public affairs and strategic communications, began with her bachelor’s degree in political science at Carleton University.

“Carleton helped set the stage for my career through its course catalogue and location in the National Capital Region,” she explains.

While she now communicates about space and the next frontier, prior to her career at NASA, Ramji’s passion for communications took her all over the world. Working for the Ismaili Council for the U.S.A., the Aga Khan Development Network and the Canadian federal government, Ramji has had the privilege of living in Canada, the United States and East Africa.

Ramji’s talent and panache for communications won her a prestigious Johnson Space Center Director’s Innovation Team Award for her innovative design and delivery of diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. Ramji has also been awarded for her work in STEM communications, the COVID-19 response and the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, and she has received the NASA Group Contribution Award for her superior ability to capture global audiences.

Reflecting on her journey, Ramji notes, “I am grateful for the opportunities that my degree from Carleton has brought me.”