The Interview: Moogega Cooper from King of The Nerds

BGN had the opportunity to speak with Moogega Cooper from season 1 of King of the Nerds about her role on the show as well as her thoughts on what it is to be a black girl nerd.  Check out the transcript below and find out what she's been up to since the finale!

1.  Tell our readers a little bit about yourself.  What did you go to school for and what do you do for a living?  Explain your position as a Planetary Production Engineer.

I attended Hampton University for my undergraduate degree where I majored in Physics and minored in Space, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences. Since I was 16 when I began, I lived at home for the majority of my college years. I then attended Drexel University for my masters and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in thermal and fluid sciences. I currently work for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory where I am a Planetary Protection Engineer. This means I am concerned with preventing forward contamination of planets and other solar system bodies as well as reverse contamination of Earth by extraterrestrial life. This is done through monitoring and reducing microbial contamination on spacecraft that we send out into the universe as well as through developing technologies for a future sample return mission!

2. Moogega is such a unique name.  What is the origin behind it?

My ethnicity is half African American and half Korean and Moogega is rainbow in Korean (무지개)

3. What enticed you to participate in the new reality TV series King Of The Nerds?

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I was curious to see what it was like to live with a bunch of nerds that had specialties outside of my domain! I also felt that if I could use the experience to allow at least one child to see the TV screen and think, "Wow, she works for NASA and she's a girl like me!" or "I didn't know that was possible. I want to do that too!" then my mission was accomplished.

4. Since everyone on the show is a nerd, does everyone get along?  Or are there some nerds who think they are 'cooler' than others?

Everybody came into Nerdvana with the same curiosity that I had and were all eager to get to know each other. It was so unique and beautiful in its own way!

5. Now that you're on a popular reality TV show, have you thought about what you plan to do after the show is over and the dust settles?

I am going to continue my research as usual and if opportunities open for me to spread the love of math and science, I am all over it!

6. What are your thoughts about Black Girl Nerds?  Do you think more black girls are opening up about their nerdiness? Or do you feel there is still a negative stigma attached to being nerdy?

I think Black Girl Nerds have always been in existence, yet it seems our voices are growing and becoming stronger! I think more black girls and girls in general are more open about their nerdiness (at least those who have discovered that side of themselves and are not discouraged by negative influences in their lives). I do not think there is a stigma attached to being nerdy and in fact, it seems that these days, nerdy is the new cool!

7. Do you feel that by being on a TV show and representing a subculture of nerdy girls will help others embrace their inner nerd?

Yes, I feel that the more this image is being broadcast on TV in a positive light, the more it will be embraced. I am astounded at the next generation of females and how they seem like a very confident and connected group of people.

8. What is your favorite book of all time?

It's difficult to pick one and it took me a while to remember the author through lots of google searching! I would have to say Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. I used to read her Sci-fi books as a young adult and each page gave my imagination so much ammunition. I had no idea she was from Pasadena and attended college right down the street from where I currently live!

9. Any advice to nerdy girls who want to become Planetary Production Engineers?

I would advice them to constantly think out of the box and keep in mind that every process can be improved either through tweaking a method or developing something new! Let your mind roam free and soak up as much knowledge as possible over the course of your studies. I guess I would give that same bit of advice to just about anybody!

King of The Nerds has been renewed for a 2nd season and the show airs Thursday nights at 10pm on TBS