Parise studied physics at Youngstown State University and earned graduate degrees in astronomy from the University of Florida. His professional work centered on ultraviolet astronomy and instrument operations.

He flew STS-35 on the ASTRO-1 mission and STS-67 on ASTRO-2. Both flights used shuttle-based observatories to study ultraviolet light from stars, galaxies, and other astronomical targets.

Parise's card reads as a scientist-payload-specialist profile. His main contribution was not command or piloting, but operating and interpreting astronomy payloads in orbit.

STS-35 launched on December 2, 1990 aboard STS-35 flight stack, with Parise serving as Payload Specialist. STS-67 launched on March 2, 1995 aboard STS-67 flight stack, with Parise serving as Payload Specialist. This mission context is drawn from the linked agency or institutional flight material and distinguishes flown service from training or backup assignments.