Michael T. Kezirian, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering (MIT) is an aerospace engineering leader in space safety, applying disciplined safety and systems-engineering practices to complex, high-consequence space systems. His technical scope spans systems engineering, spaceflight operations, and propulsion systems—linking design, verification, qualification, and operational execution. His experience includes major human spaceflight programs including Space Shuttle, the International Space Station (ISS), and Commercial Crew, as well as commercial and government communications satellite missions.

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Dr. Kezirian has extensive experience with high-pressure fluid systems, including the engineering and safe application of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for propellant, pressurant, and other critical fluid storage. His work emphasizes integrated systems thinking—connecting requirements, interfaces, test and qualification, anomaly response, and operational controls to ensure hardware performance and safe mission execution.

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He is an Adjunct Professor of Astronautical Engineering Practice at the University of Southern California (USC), where he teaches and mentors students in space safety, systems engineering, and operational risk management. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Safety Engineering, a Fellow of the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He also contributes to the broader space safety community through professional leadership and standards development, translating operational lessons learned into practical guidance that improves safety and mission success.