Biography

Michael McCulloch grew up in Houston, Texas and is a graduate of Rice University where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering. After graduating from Rice, he worked for The Boeing Company’s Space Exploration Division at the NASA Johnson Space Center. He spent 15 years working on the Space Shuttle program and 20 years on the International Space Station prior to his retirement in April 2017. As his vision deteriorated, he used various adaptive software and equipment to continue accomplishing all of his work responsibilities. Michael began losing his vision in his late 20’s due to glaucoma and has been legally blind since 2006.

Michael is the founder and president of the non-profit organization iBUG Today (iBlind Users Group). iBUG Today has promoted the individual independence, social integration, and educational development of the blind through accessible technology training since May 2011. In 2018, iBUG received the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award from the National Federation of the Blind which honors individuals and organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and whose work advances the goal of helping transform their dreams into reality.

Michael is currently a board member of the Lighthouse of Houston and co-chair of the ReelAbilities Houston Film & Arts Festival, which uses the arts as a vehicle to promote inclusion and amplify the voices of people with disabilities. He is committed to serving and empowering the blind and disability communities to become independent and productive members in society.

Michael enjoys traveling, mountain hiking, rock wall climbing, cross-country skiing, kayaking and other outdoor sports. In June 2019, he completed the 4-day trek along the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru. He especially enjoys spending time with his daughter, Lauren and granddaughter, River.