PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Work Experience
SPACE SYSTEMS ENGINEER, SATELLITE OPERATIONS
Planet
February 2020 - March 2022
Space Systems Engineer a part of the Planet team - working towards bringing space down to Earth. Operating the Dove and Superdove satellite constellations.
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INTERN
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab
Oct - Dec 2019
JPL Visiting Research intern in the Machine Learning and Instrument Autonomy group, focused on feature engineering, robotic assembly, data collection, and machine learning for planetary rover applications. Research work concentrated on time series analysis and feature engineering of time series for slip classification to be implemented onboard future rover missions.
SPACE WEATHER & SPACE DEBRIS RESEARCHER
l'Observatoire de Paris
Sept 2018 - Current (Part Time)
Researcher with the Laboratory of Space Studies and Instrumentation in Astrophysics (LESIA) to investigate the geomagnetic response to isolated flare events, with intent to publish findings.
SUMMER COURSE TEACHER
l'Observatoire de Paris
Jan - Aug 2019
Responsible for developing and teaching curriculum on the topics of attitude dynamics and orbital mechanics in the form of hands-on technical sessions and oral presentations for the Natural Space Risks Summer School 2019. Assisted with the logistical and administrative organisation of the program, hosting students from across the globe.
SPACE WEATHER & SPACE DEBRIS INTERNSHIP
May - Aug 2018
Researcher at the Institut de mécanique celeste et de calcul des éphémérides (IMCCE), performing an analysis of atmosphere density changes and orbit perturbations due to solar eruptive events on GRACE and CHAMP satellites, to understand the effects of solar events on spacecraft orbits.
GRADUATE RESEARCHER
Western University
Dec 2018 - Jan 2019
Graduate researcher a part of Dr. Kenneth McIsaac and Dr. Jayshri Sabarinathan's group and the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration (Western Space) at Western University.
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR OUTREACH COORDINATOR
SuperNOVA at Dalhousie University
May - Aug 2017
Responsible for planning, managing, and executing community outreach STEM activities in Newfoundland and Labrador, including travelling to remote Innu and Inuit communities for camp delivery for 8 weeks. Created and taught innovative camp curriculum on the topics of STEM for youth ages 5-12.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Virtual Ventures at Carleton University
Sept 2015-2016
Responsible for all administrative functions for the successful operations of Carleton University’s Virtual Ventures programs which serves over 1200 Ottawa youth every summer. Oversaw the logistics of all advertisement, registration, communications, budget, staff and volunteer management, and supply, equipment and space coordination for summer camps, workshops, and clubs’ programs.
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT
Carleton University & Western University
Sept 2017 - Apr 2019
Circuits & Signals: 2nd year Electrical Engineering course (Fall 2017).
Introductory Design & Innovation Studio: 1st year General Engineering course (Winter 2018).
Electrical & Computer Engineering Project: 4th year CAPSTONE project course (Fall 2018 & Winter 2019).
Education
PHD AUTONOMOUS INTELLIGENT MACHINES AND SYSTEMS
Oxford University
October 2021 - April 2026
An EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training, AIMS mission is to train cohorts with both theoretical, practical and systems skills in autonomous systems - comprising machine learning, robotics, sensor systems and verification- and a deep understanding of the cross-disciplinary requirements of these domains. To fund my studies, I was awarded two competitive fellowships, the Satellite Applications Catapult and Deimos Space Studentship and the Oxford-Singapore Human-Machine Collaboration Programme – Innovation Pillar Scholarship totaling £175000.
MESC ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Western University
Jan 2018 - Dec 2019
Thesis-based Masters student in the collaborative Graduate Program in Planetary Science and Exploration. Thesis Work: “Machine Learning Classification of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections using Satellite Accelerometers”. Used the time series accelerometer data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellite and statistical features to classify periods of geomagnetic storm activity from periods of quiet geomagnetic activity. Used Random Forest, Extremely Randomized Trees, Logistic Regression, and Support Vector Machine architectures.
B.ENG AEROSPACE: SPACE SYSTEMS DESIGN, MINOR IN BUSINESS
Carleton University
Sept 2013 - Apr 2017
Minored in Business for Engineering students. Specialized in spacecraft communication systems. Involved with the Carleton Mechanical & Aerospace Society, Carleton Student Engineering Society, and founding member and 3x president of the Carleton Planetary Robotics Team.
Engineering Projects
ROVER OPERATOR
Lunar Sample Return Analogue Mission
August 2019
Rover Operator, responsible for performing real-time control and instructional commanding of the rover, safely navigating the rover, monitoring rover housekeeping data, and act as an instructional relay between tactical science team and field team.
CUBESAT SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Western University CubeSat
Sept 2018 - Aug 2019
Systems Engineering lead, assisting with defining requirements, design work and general team organization and deliverables. Design team member of Communication subsystem, assisting with the development of the link-budget and UHF antenna design. Mentor for 4th-year students on the Communication and Onboard Data Handling teams, overviewing and providing feedback on design work.
AUTONOMOUS GREENHOUSE ROVER
Western University
Jan 2018 - Apr 2019
Systems Engineer role, developing an autonomously navigating rover used in industrial-sized greenhouses for purposes of early detection of plant diseases. Responsible for the design and manufacturing of the adjusting mast for the rover payload, in addition to the successful integration between all subsystem designs to produce a final prototype for industry. Act in a mentorship capacity for the 4th-year students working on the navigation and chassis subsystems.
ADAPTIVE ARRAY BEAMFORMING
Western University
Jan - Apr 2018
Used MATLAB to model and simulate three adaptive beamforming techniques used by linear arrays to perform a comparative analysis of performance.
CUBESAT
Carleton University Capstone Project
Sept 2016 - Apr 2017
Communications team lead of the 4th year CAPSTONE Satellite Design Project, designing and building a 3-Unit CubeSat for launch as part of the Canadian Satellite Design Competition. Designed and modelled a four quarter-wave monopole antenna system in ANSYS HFSS. Allocated sponsorship for the 2016-17 project year, bringing in over $15,000 from industry.
ICE PENETRATING RADAR
Carleton University
Sept - Dec 2016
Designed an Ice Penetrating Radar for the purposes of subsurface mapping of Jupiter’s Moon Europa. Completed MIT’s Can Radar mini-course to design and build a functional Range-finding Radar. Used ANSYS HFSS to model and analyze the radar system in the Europan environment.
PRESIDENT & SCIENCE LEAD
Carleton Planetary Robotics Team
Sept 2014 - Apr 2017
Led a team of Engineering and Science students to the United Kingdom University Rover Challenge in July 2016 and the Canadian International Rover Competition in July 2017. Responsible for all public relations, administration, and logistics associated with the team including: proposals, budget and team management, sponsorship allocation, purchasing and inventory tracking, and social media. Designed the science payload and presented results and analysis from collected data by onboard instruments under time constraints to judges.
Professional Societies & Volunteering
OXFORD UNIVERSITY KEBLE COLLEGE BALL TREASURER
June 2022 - Present
The treasurer will be responsible for overseeing all the financials of the ball, alongside the Keble College Bursar, in order to ensure the event runs to budget and all financial risks are appropriately managed. Responsibilities will include: managing event finances, ensuring appropriate insurance and risk management, especially in relation to COVID-19, and playing a leading role in committee meetings.
TREASURER
August 2022 - Present
Responsible for the management of the Oxford Womxn in Computer Science Society finances to support the Oxford Community.
MENTOR
May 2022 - Present
Mentor for the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation. Zenith's mission is to deliver a national training and career development program designed to bridge gaps between post-secondary and early-career work experience with a focus on underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, to support and sustain a highly-qualified Canadian aerospace industry workforce.
ALUMNI MENTOR
October 2021 - May 2022
The Alumni Mentors program pairs motivated upper-year students and recent graduates with an alumni mentor. Mentors are established professionals who help students and recent graduates develop skills for the workplace and expand their professional networks. The program is offered in partnership between the Department of University Advancement, The Carleton University Alumni Association and the Carleton University Students’ Association.
CONFERENCE COORDINATOR
October 2021 - May 2022
Responsible for co-organizing the annual Oxbridge Women in Computer Science conference hosted by the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
2021 SPACE GENERATION CONGRESS MANAGER
January - October 2021
Responsible for the overall management and execution of the Space Generation Congress (SGC) 2021, the SGAC’s flagship event, and SGAC’s presence at the International Astronautical Conference (IAC), which hosts ~150 delegates from around the world each year, endorsed by the United Nation’s Office of Outer Space Affairs
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE ON SPACE WEATHER MEMBER
American Meteorlogical Society
Jun 2018 - Ongoing
Assisting with the organization of the 2020 AMS Meeting and co-chairing multiple sessions for the 17th Conference on Space Weather. Previously assisted in the organization of the 16th Conference on Space Weather and the 19th Conference on Aviation, Range, and Aerospace Meteorology through contacting and coordinating with presenters and co-chairing joint-session.
CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Canada
Feb - Dec 2019
Responsible for creating and managing crowdfunding campaigns for the various student-led projects a part of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Canada.
SPACE GENERATION CONGRESS LOGISTICS TEAM
Space Generation Advisory Council
Feb - Oct 2019
Managed the logistics for the Space Generation Congress 2019 and SGAC’s presence at the International Astronautical Conference, which hosts ~150 delegates from around the world each year. Responsible for ensuring all equipment and supplies arrive on site, on time, selecting event venues, negotiation and coordination with caterers, determining and communicating transportation details and the identification of local partners.
TREASURER
Centre for Planetary Science & Exploration Graduate Council
Sept 2018 - Apr 2019
Responsible for managing the finances of the graduate council, and spearheading fundraising efforts to be used towards benefitting the graduate students a part of the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (now Western Space).
Professional Development
PLANET PARTNERSHIP FOUNDER AND REPRESENTATIVE
Frontier Development Lab AUS/NZ
August - September 2020
Founder of the partnership between AUS/NZ FDL and Planet, providing imagery for forest fire detection, assessment, and mitigation for the 2020 FDL AUS/NZ Dataquest: Bushfires challenge.
PLANET PARTNER REPRESENTATIVE AND DOMAIN EXPERT
Frontier Development Lab
June - August 2020
Founder of the partnership between the Frontier Development Lab and Planet, providing imagery for the Waters of the United States Team and acting as a Planet representative, providing feedback and support during formal reviews.
PARTICIPANT AND CHALLENGE CONTRIBUTOR
Frontier Development Lab Big Think
January 2020
Participant of the NASA Frontier Development Lab Big Think Meeting hosted at NASA Ames. Contributed to the discussion of potential challenges for the upcoming 2020 cycle of the NASA FDL program in the Disasters group.
INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTATION
University of Toronto Dunlap Institute
Jul 2019
Participant of a week-long, hands-on summer school program designed to introduce students to principles of optics, spectrographs and detectors, and advanced topics in instrument design and development.
WINNER: CALTECH SPACE CHALLENGE
Encelanders: 2019 Caltech Space Challenge
March 2019
Engineering team member participant of a week-long intensive space mission design competition, to probe for evidence of the presence of life on Enceladus using a network of small landers and presenting work to a panel of judges.
INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE SHORT COURSE
Western Space
Sept 2018
One-week intensive graduate course on planetary bodies with an interdisciplinary space mission design project.
CERTIFICATE IN UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND LEARNING
Western Center for Teaching & Learning
Jun 2018 - Dec 2019
Participant of the program, intended to enhance the quality of teaching to prepare for a future faculty career. Requires completion of micro-teaching lectures, professional development workshops, and the curation of a course syllabus.
CONCURRENT ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
European Space Agency Academy
Sept 2017
Communications & Data Handling team member, employing concurrent engineering techniques at the ESEC Concurrent Design Facility by utilizing OCDT to design the first iteration of a lunar south-pole orbiting satellite.
NATURAL SPACE RISKS SUMMER SCHOOL
l'Observatoire de Paris
Aug 2017
Participated in a week-long intensive summer school on the topics of Near-Earth-Objects, Space Weather, and Space Debris, with concentration on Space Debris Mitigation and Law.
Publications
C. Briand, K. Doerksen, F. Deleflie, “Solar EUV-Enhancement and Thermospheric Disturbances”. Space Weather Journal Vol. 9, Issue 12, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021SW002840, 22 November 2021.
K. Doerksen, K. Fischer, “Autonomous Systems Validation (SysVal) environment for advancing Mission Operations”. Conference: Small Satellite 2021, Online, Submitted June 2021, shared first authorship.
P. Bernal, K. Doerksen, C. Yap, “Machine Learning for Early Satellite Anomaly Detection”. Conference: Small Satellite 2021, Online, Submitted June 2021
J. Ahumada, K. Doerksen, and S. Zeller, “Automated fleet commissioning workflows at Planet”. Conference: Small Satellite 2021, Online, Submitted June 2021, shared first authorship
K.Doerksen, "Machine Learning Classification of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections Using Satellite Accelerometers", Western University, Masters Thesis, Dec 2019.
K. Doerksen, “Classification of Solar Events using Machine Learning and Satellite Accelerometers”. Conference: 70th International Astronautical Congress, Washington DC, October 2019.
K. Doerksen et al, “Rapid Mission Concept Development at the 2019 Caltech Space Challenge: A Small Lander Network Studying the Habitability of Enceladus”. Conference: 3rd Symposium on Space Educational Activities, Leicester, United Kingdom, September 2019.
K. Doerksen et al, “Student Perspectives on the 2017 ESA Concurrent Engineering Challenge”. Conference: 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities, Budapest, Hungary, April 2018.
Conferences & Presentations
Oral Presenter & Sessional Co-chair, 100th American Meteorological Society Meeting, Jan 2020
Selected as an oral presenter for the Machine Learning and AI for Space Weather session a part of the 17th Conference on Space Weather. Presented on machine learning classification of interplanetary coronal mass ejections using satellite accelerometers.
Oral Presenter, 70th International Astronautical Congress, October 2019.
Presented Masters thesis research in the “Space environment and effects on space missions” session at the 70th IAC congress.
Oral Presenter, 3rd Symposium on Space Educational Activities, September 2019.
Prepared a 15-minunte oral presentation and conference paper for the 3rdSymposium on Space Educational Activities on the student benefits, design work, and teaching take-aways from the 2019 Caltech Space Challenge
Electrical & Computer Engineering Graduate research symposium, Western University, May 2019
Formally presented thesis-related research to a panel of faculty within the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.
Case Study Facilitator, Western University May Conference on Teaching, May 2019.
Developed a case study stemmed from TA experience and facilitated an interactive working session.
Poster Presenter, Western University Space Day, April 2019.
Presented research on the effects of solar flares isolated from coronal mass ejections on the Earth’s atmosphere and the orbits of satellites of varying area-to-mass ratios.
Top 20 Finalist, Western Three Minute Thesis, March 2019.
Placed in the top 20 students at the Three Minute Thesis research communication competition, designed for graduate students to present their research and its impact to a panel of non-specialist judges and peers in under three minutes.
Sessional Co-chair & Poster Presenter, 99th American Meteorlogical Society Meeting, January 2019.
Space Weather Effects on High Flyers Sessional Co-chair & Presenter for the 16th Conference on Space Weather.
Oral Presenter, 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities, April 2018.
Prepared a 15-minunte oral presentation and conference paper for the 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities on the student benefits and perspectives from an ESA workshop.
Communications Category Competitor, Canadian Engineering Competition, March 2017.
Competed nationally in the Communications category, presenting on the socio-economic and environmental benefits of Canadian investment into future Mars Rover missions.
2nd Place & Social Awareness Winner, Ontario Engineering Competition, Jan 2017.
Competed in the Communications category, presenting on the social, environmental, and economic impacts of Canadian Mars Rover missions.
Outreach & Invited Talks
Opportunities in Space Panelist, Zenith Fellowship Summit, August 2022.
Invited panelist to share my experiences working in the international space community to provide the Zenith Fellows and Mentees with insight into opportunities that they can participate in in the space sector locally, nationally and globally
Panelist, OxWoCS ICML Social, Highlighting Womxn Researchers in Machine Learning, July 2022.
Invited panelist for the Oxford Womxn in Computer Science Society ICML 2022 panel, Highlighting Womxn Researchers in Machine Learning to discuss my research work of AI for space applications
EngGradGirls Inaugural Speaker, University of Western Ontario, July 2022
Invited expert speaker for the inaugural EngGradGirls speaker series, focused on providing resources and tips for career-planning for graduate-level women in engineering
SOAR Student Leadership Conference Invited Speaker, Carleton University, January 2022.
Invited expert speaker for The SOAR Student Leadership Conference, an annual conference for student leaders at Carleton University. Talk focused on overcoming barriers as a first-generation female in STEM pursuing a career in space
Class of 2021 Mechanical and Aerospace Convocation Speaker, Carleton University, June 2021.
Invited speaker to address the 2021 graduating class from the Carleton Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program
American Meteorological Society's Clear Skys Podcast Guest, June 2021.
Invited speaker, sharing my experience as an early-career engineer and space weather researcher
Candian Aeronautics and Space Institute (CASI) Invited Talk, A Journey to a Career in Space, June 2021.
Invited speaker to the CASI talk series, discussing my journey to a career in space as a young Canadian, highlighting various project work with NASA JPL, Planet, and l’Observatoire de Paris
IEEE Women in Engineering Ottawa Chapter Machine Learning Series Invited Talk, May 2021.
Invited to speak a part of the IEEE Women In Engineering Machine Learning series, highlighting project work focusing on space-based applications of machine learning
McMaster Planetary Society Women in Space Panel, February 2021.
Invited speaker to share my experiences as a woman in the STEM field in particular to my career in space as a part of International Day of Girls and Women in Science
Western Space Women in Space Panel, February 2021.
Invited speaker to share my experiences as a woman in the STEM field in particular to my career in space as a part of International Day of Girls and Women in Science
Go Eng Girl Outreach Event, Virtual Ventures, Carleton University, October 2020, 2019
Invited speaker, discussing my experiences as a woman in STEM and answering questions from female youth about STEM careers
SEDS-Earth Livestream World Space Week Event, SEDS-Earth, October 2020.
Invited speaker and Canadian representative for the Students of Exploration and Development of Space Canada, speaking on expertise as an Earth Observation satellite operator and how “Satellites Improve Life”
Girl Geek x Planet, Women in Tech Lightning Talks, July 2020.
Invited speaker representing Planet, speaking about machine learning applications for Mars, the Moon, and Earth
Awards
Space and Satellite Professional's International Top 20 Under 35, September 2021
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Travel Grant, 100th American Meteoroligcal Society Meeting , October 2019.
Winner of the AMS Space Weather Student Travel grant for the 100th AMS Meeting. This award is given based on academic excellence and research quality.
Canadian Space Agency Sponsored Student, 70th International Astronautical Congress, October 2019.
Sponsored by the Canadian Space Agency to attend and present at the 70th International Astronautical Congress. This award is given based on academic excellence and research quality.
Outstanding Presentation Award, 3rd Symposium on Space Educational Activities, September 2019.
Awarded the best overall oral presentation at the European Space Agency 3rd Symposium on Space Educational Activities for presentation on the lessons learned and design work from the 2019 Caltech Space Challenge.
Outstanding Presentation Award, Western University Graduate Research Symposium, May 2019.
Awarded the best overall presentation in the Robotics & Control session of the Electrical & Computer Engineering symposium from presentation on machine learning applications to space weather. This award is given based on research quality and oral communication skills.
2nd Place Student Poster Competition, Western University Space Day, April 2019.
2nd Place at the Student Poster Presentation Competition at Western University’s Space Day, presenting collaborative research work done during l'Observatoire de Paris internship.
Best Student Poster, 99th American Meteorlogical Society Meeting, January 2019.
Winner of the Student Poster Presentation Competition for Space Weather. This award is given based on research quality as well as visual and oral communication of research work.
Travel Grant, 99th American Meteorlogical Society Meeting, January 2019.
Winner of the AMS Space Weather Student Travel grant for the 99th AMS Meeting. This award is given based on academic excellence and research quality.
Victor Hangan Global Opportunities Award, Western University, May 2018.
Awarded to students in the Faculty of Engineering participating in an international learning program.
European Space Agency Sponsored Student, 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities, Apr 2018.
Merit-based winner of the ESA student sponsorship award to present at the 2nd Symposium on Space Educational Activities for design work completed in the ESA Concurrent Engineering Challenge.
Media
Kelsey Doerksen to speak on AI4Space: Perspective from the Next Generation Panel at International Astronautical Congress
The AI4Space plenary will be a deep dive into how AI is transforming the sector, showcasing the work and research of the talented group of the NextGen panelists selected for this session.
Available: IAC Webpage
Kelsey Doerksen Interviewed for the Love & Science segment with Bristol radio
Listen to the full interview here: (Love & Science – Monday 4th July 2022)
Reaching for the Stars: Aerospace Engineering Alumna Kelsey Doerksen Dreams Bigger
Kelsey Doerksen (BEng/17) has always wanted to go to space. Her time at Carleton University as a dedicated undergrad, making connections with the wider Carleton community, made that dream of shooting for the stars a little more reachable.
Available: Article
Kelsey Doerksen named SSPI Top 20 Under 35
SSPI's annual list of "20 Under 35" features 20 employees and entrepreneurs to keep your eye on in coming years. They represent, quite simply, the best of us in the years ahead.
Available: Article
Frontier Development Lab SETILive: AI and space data and managing our planet, August 2020
Planet partner representative and expert for the 2020 Frontier Development Lab joining Google's Technical Director of Applied AI, discussing the utilization of space data with machine learning for Earth.
Available: YouTube
Students Chart a Course to Enceladus, Caltech News, April 2019
2019 Caltech Space Challenge tasked student teams with designing a mission to Saturn's icy moon.
Available: Article