Kristina was inspired to pursue a career in aerospace, growing up with Star Trek and dreaming of one day becoming the ship's engineer. She later realized those dreams through her work at NASA Langley in Virginia on the Mars Tumbleweed Rover and the Mars Reconnaissance Rover. She also worked at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama on Ares and Ares I-X, the vehicle intended to replace the Space Shuttle, which was eventually superseded by Artemis and the Space Launch System (SLS). Since 2019, Kristina has focused her passion for science education on her role as a home-school teacher. She actively supports children's development in math, science, and engineering through her activities in LEGO Robotics and the 4-H Sport Rocket Club.