My Biography

Natasha A. Greene, PhD, is a California native, by way of Chicago, IL and Colfax, LA. Although she currently resides in the great state of Texas, she has moved around the country and knows that life is too AMAZING to not experience what all America the Beautiful has to offer.

Natasha predominantly grew up in Fresno, CA with her mother (Brendel Jackson), stepfather (Robert Jackson), and three siblings (one biological sister, Brenekie, and two step siblings, Samone and Rodney). She moved to California from Louisiana when her mother remarried, after divorcing her father, James Greene Jr. She entered Aynesworth Elementary School as a fifth grader, excelling in her coursework and California assessments, which ultimately led to an offer to skip two grades at the age of nine. However, her mother declined the offer for fear that Natasha may have been moving too fast in a completely new environment.  

Natasha went on to build an awesome relationship with her fifth-grade teacher, Dr. Luz Gonzalez, and basically took on a role of class helper and tutor for many of her classmates. As Natasha progressed, she entered Computech Middle School in the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program. This is where Natasha started to blossom socially and became involved in various school activities, such as debate, basketball, and track and field. 

By the time she began her tenure at Edison High School (Tiger for Life), she was well groomed at managing her education and extracurricular activities. Natasha entered the Scholastics AP (Advance Program) and took college-level courses in Math, Science, and English while attending Edison.  However, it wasn't all work, she was a formidable student athlete.  She excelled at varsity-level basketball and track and field, setting a couple San Juaquin Valley records in the 100 m and 200 m dash.  In fact, Natasha was voted MVP during two of her four high school years in basketball, and three of her four years in track and field.  She even participated in the Junior Olympics and competed against the infamous Marion Jones, who later became the fastest woman in the world.

In addition to her sports accomplishments, Natasha was a key asset on the Edison High School Debate and Forensics Team, winning first place at the National Forensics competition in Los Angeles, CA two years in a row.  Due to her many accomplishments in high school, during her senior year, Natasha was voted the Student-Athlete of the Year for the Central Valley of California and was awarded the Key to the City.  As a result, the city of Fresno deemed April 28th as Student-Athlete Day and honored me as such under Mayor Karen Humphrey, the first female mayor of Fresno.  Natasha graduated Edison High School with high honors.

After high school graduation, Natasha elected to attend Grambling State University (in Grambling, LA) to keep the family tradition of attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).  She received offers and acceptance letters from multiple institutions, but Grambling State University was home, land of Where Everybody is Somebody.  Natasha majored in Physics, on a scholarship, and participated as a student assistant to the Dean of Physics, Dr. Thomas Odom.  
 

While attending Grambling, Natasha knew that she needed to spread her horizons. Thus, she applied and was accepted in two summer internships.  She attended the University of Central Florida, Center of Electro Optics and Lasers.  During this time, she developed thermal windows for supersonic aircraft jets.  She also attended Stanford University where she worked in the lab analyzing the sensitivity of Ozone (O3) in the stratosphere.  In 1997, she graduated Grambling State University as Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physics.  However, her quench for knowledge was still strong; and thus, she decided to further her educational endeavors at Howard University in Washington, DC.

Natasha attended Howard University pursuing a Masters of Science degree, with a major in Physics.  She worked on a thesis project entitled, "Use of the Electrostatic Classification Method to size SRM Particles (0.1 micron particles) in the Presence of a Hurricane.”  This project was noted as a first of its kind to be completed in the presence of a major hurricane, Hurricane Erika of 1997 (Category III).  This research was funded by a NASA grant and has been cited in over 50 subsequent publications on this topic.  In this endeavor, she worked at the NASA Greenbelt facility of Greenbelt, MD.  

After completing her work for a Master of Science degree in Physics, she was convinced by the late Dr. Arthur Thorpe and Dr. Vernon Morris (her academic advisors) to further pursue studies in efforts to obtain a doctoral degree in Physics. In fact, Howard University was implementing a new program, as a quasi-Physics degree, called HU Program in Atmospheric Sciences (HUPAS). HUPAS provided an opportunity to earn a doctoral degree in Atmospheric Sciences with emphasis on Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry … and Natasha would be a trailblazer as one of the first members of its graduating class.  She jumped at the opportunity! This was a least traveled path that she took on full force. 

Eventually, Natasha completed her studies with a dissertation entitled, “Examination of Particulate Matter and Heavy Metals and Their Effects in At-Risk Wards in Washington, DC.” This research designed and executed an environmental health exposure assessment for particulate matter and heavy metals, such as chromium, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and nickel, in four observed and impoverished wards of the Washington, DC area.  The study showed a link between anthropogenic sources and pediatric asthma risks. This work has been cited in over 60 articles and has been discussed worldwide at various Public Health Risks conferences, for which Dr. Greene still receives invites to speak upon.  

Moreover, Natasha was the very first to ever complete the Atmospheric Sciences Doctoral Program at Howard University, earning a PhD in Atmospheric Physics, and establishing her as a historical figure in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  

During her collegiate period, to name a few, she was an awardee of the NASA Harriet G. Jenkins Fellowship Award, the NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences Fellowship Award, the GAANN Fellowship Award, recipient of Who’s Who Among American College Students, and the President of the Society of Physics Students.

After completing her PhD (doctoral) degree at Howard University in Atmospheric Physics, Natasha was hired at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) as a Staff Meteorologist and Physical Scientist.

Natasha has held multiple positions while serving this country in her career field, working in capacities of an engineer, scientist, assessor, and researcher. She currently holds the title of Senior Nuclear Health Physicist. She has also been active in promoting diversity and equal employment opportunities in STEM, leading this mantra at her agencies. In 2016, Natasha was awarded the second highest award conferred on a Federal Employee for her agency, which is the Federal Meritorious Service Award for Employment Opportunity. In 2018, she was also awarded Federal Employee of the Year for EEO and Diversity in her region. These were epic moments in her career! 

Natasha believes there are two lessons to follow throughout life.  The first is to always remember, “Your attitude determines your altitude.”  This is a lesson that her mother instilled in her at a young age. Even when in despair or less encouraging situations, Natasha has always tried to show respect and display a positive attitude. It works!

The other lesson is that you are always better when you think of others and try to reach back to elevate them.  Natasha has always had a strong support system from her family, friends, pastors, teachers, advisors, coaches, teammates, etc. She states, without hesitation, that she is confident her success and accomplishments would not have been without their support and encouragement.  But moreover, she would not be as blessed as she is without doing what she can to bring others up as well.  It is the circle of life … give and receive.  There must be balance and atonement for it all to work in your favor.

She closes with this message:

Just remember, whatever you do in life … it is not finished unless you have put your ALL into it. Nothing beats a failure, but a try … and the best is granted to those that work to achieve it.  Place your eyes on the goal and make steps to walk your way to the mark of success!  Know how to live GRAND with a PLAN! Victory is within reach … keep your faith, jump in, and SWIM to the finish line.