Vito Prasad

Vito Prasad worked in the aerospace industry as a Systems Engineer for Northrop Grumman on the James Webb Space Telescope project. This role satisfied his lifelong intrigue with space. His responsibilities included ensuring the telescope's pristine condition through rigorous contamination control, which was pivotal for its successful deployment and operation. He also served as a Lead Systems Integration Engineer at Northrop Grumman's Strategic Systems Division, managing a team overseeing a complex multi-satellite project. His aerospace journey also included a stint at SpaceX, where he enhanced the propulsion and fluid systems of the Falcon 9 rocket, aiding in the advancement of reusable rocket technology. Vito's consulting experience as a Senior Business Analyst at Kearney involved optimizing logistics and supply chain strategies for electric vehicles, which reduced delivery lead times and controlled costs for major automotive clients. In addition to his professional endeavors, Vito has shown a solid dedication to community service. He increased production efficiency threefold at Pearl Therapeutics—AstraZeneca by leading a product development initiative and managing international technology transfers. His commitment also extended to volunteering, including significant contributions to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program and a local COVID-19 vaccination site. Vito's multicultural upbringing in a multilingual family, with his early years spent in Japan, fostered a deep-rooted curiosity and a broad worldview. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University, where he was deeply involved in various leadership and technical projects. Outside of his professional and academic pursuits, Vito is an avid coffee enthusiast, a distillery visitor, a competitive tennis player, and a seasoned runner. His hobbies include birdwatching, cooking Japanese cuisine, analyzing films, and curating travel and dining lists for friends.