Michael Miller

Academic Coach & Mentor
Former NASA ISS Operations Specialist & Genetic Researcher

Payload Operations Integration Specialist at NASA
(2023-2025)

In my role at NASA I supported the development and operation of human spaceflight programs.

I acted as a liaison between some of the top scientists in the world, who develop the science experiments happening on the International Space Station (ISS), and the astronauts who execute the experiments on the ISS. Since the scientists are not actually carrying out the science experiments themselves in space, they write procedures for the crew to perform on their behalf. I assisted in drafting these procedures and also translated them into the NASA standard for unambiguous and efficient execution by the crew orbiting the Earth on the ISS. A lot of teamwork and coordination was required, with the scientists themselves as well as with many roles at the Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC), such as PAYCOM, Stowage, and Safety.

I also assisted in the creation of astronaut training and development of training materials, whether that be for ground training or on-orbit training.

My own training required me to participate in and be evaluated during mission simulations that prepared me to work as part of a well-coordinated team with the flight controllers in the Mission Control Center to support operations in the dynamic environment of space. During real time operations, I advocated for both the scientists and the interests and safety of all astronauts.

Although self-employed, I do technically operate under a business. In that business I aim to educate high school and college students in the areas of science and mathematics. Not only to help them meet the objectives of their coursework, but more importantly to help them foster the ideals of self-reliance and critical thinking – about the world around them, themselves and their future.

As Founder and Chief Education Consultant, I’m responsible for bringing and keeping students up to their class learning standards (and beyond), creating individualized learning plans if needed, SAT and ACT preparation, and guidance in developing action plans for college. I also help prepare undergraduate students seeking acceptance into a master’s program for the Graduate Readiness Exam (GRE), as well as students aspiring to serve in the military for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

The primary subjects I coach include Chemistry, Physics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. In the past I’ve also coached Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, and Environmental Science.

I’ve led many students who were failing one or more of the above subjects to improve their class average by up to 50 points. Students who were taking the SAT and/or ACT have seen a score improvement of up to 30%. Eighty percent of my high school students have been accepted into their college of choice, and 100% of my undergraduate students taking the GRE were accepted into a master’s program.

Outside of leading young adults in the knowledge needed to succeed in their coursework, my biggest objective is developing their intellect to a point where they can not only think critically about their coursework material, but also about the broader subjects themselves, and eventually about their lives and future. My desire is similar to the underlying principle in the adage that says, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” I don’t simply want to teach students what to think. I want to teach them how to think – the questions to ask, the processes to follow, the principles to keep in mind. If I can do this well, then I reason I would have helped them lay the foundation to solve any problem or puzzle they need solved in life, by relying on their own capabilities, curiosity, and even the help of others in a team, positioning them for success and enabling them to learn well for a lifetime.

The approach to this goal often involves teaching students concepts well above their required learning material. Concepts such as proof by contradiction, Gödel’s Theorem of Incompleteness, the differences between concrete and abstract mathematics, and rational and irrational numbers as they relate to situations we all encounter in life, as well as coaching them in how to think about Newton’s Laws of motion in parallel to their lives and their goals. This is more difficult than simply teaching students the actual book knowledge, and takes longer, but is well worth it.

Calculus and Physics Tutor at Tutoring Tree
(2010-2013)

Tutoring Tree, LLC is an education-focused small business, which primarily operated in Forsyth County, GA. During my employment, I was responsible for teaching, tutoring, and coaching high school students in the areas of Science and Mathematics. I also collaborated with local schools to bring ACT/SAT preparation classes.

The subjects I tutored most often were Calculus, Physics, Algebra and Chemistry, however I also did a fair amount of tutoring in Biology, Trigonometry, Geometry, Pre-Calculus and Statistics. My lessons were approximately one hour long and involved a lot of teaching, listening, and leading students through problem solving by my own example.

Genetic Researcher at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
(2007-2008)

I volunteered in the Enteric Diseases Laboratory Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for approximately one year. During that time, I aided in the genetic identification of numerous gastrointestinal pathogens using biotechnologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. I was also responsible for making agarose gels utilized in electrophoresis, analyzing DNA sequences for errors in the copying process, editing those DNA sequences, and constructing genetic relationship trees.

Upon completion of the PCR process, the PCR products I was responsible for were photo documented under UV light, the genetic information sequenced, edited for errors if necessary, and then uploaded to an online database for statistical identification.

At the CDC I was trained in state of the art laboratory equipment of that time, laboratory techniques to avoid contamination, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Bio Safety Level (BSL) 1 and 2.

Being a volunteer, I was in the laboratory less than 40 hours per week, however due to my performance and how well I worked with the team, there was a push to get funding to hire me as a full time federal employee toward the end of my time there.

Extracareer Projects and Achievements

Electrolysis-based Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development

• Designed and constructed multiple reverse hydrogen fuel cell systems to act as a supplemental energy source in combustion engines.

• Successfully powered a dirt bike completely gasoline free.

• When used in hybrid with gasoline, decreased gasoline consumption in test vehicle 10-20%.

• Cleaned excess hydrocarbon buildup in engine (unexpected but positive side effect).

Financial Peace University Graduate

• Paid off $120,000 of debt in under 3 years. Now debt free.

Some of my friends/clients give me the honor of being described as,

• “You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met.”

• “You’re the closest thing to a scientist I know of.”