Sarah McCord

Sarah McCord is a Lecturer of Mathematics at Seattle Pacific University (SPU) in the Department of Mathematics and Data Science, College of Arts & Sciences. Prior to joining SPU, she worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on orbit determination, spacecraft tracking, and algorithm development for the Deep Space Network. She also contributed to the MIT Planetary Astronomy Group's research on stellar occultations and planetary ring analysis.

• Education: B.S. from MIT (1985), M.S. from University of Washington (1989), with work toward a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics (1993-1995).

Her research and teaching interests span applied mathematics, with applications in quantum physics, astrophysics, sailing vessel dynamics, and mathematical biology/ecology. She has incorporated Fourier analysis and higher-order spline fitting into her computational work, earning recognition through the NASA Group Achievement Award.

McCord's publications reflect her expertise in orbital mechanics and planetary data analysis, with presentations at SIAM and ICIAM conferences. She is known for connecting abstract mathematical concepts to real-world applications, addressing student questions about the utility of mathematics through interdisciplinary case studies.

Scientific Awards:

• NASA Group Achievement Award

Beyond her scientific contributions, McCord has served as a principal flute player in ensembles, speaks German and French, and is active in the ministries of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church. She balances her academic career with diverse interests, including bridge, backpacking, and faith-based community engagement.