We continue our successful women’s leadership series with NASA Astronaut and Maine native Jessica Meir.

Presenting Sponsor:

Born and raised in Caribou Maine, Jessica U. Meir was selected by NASA in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Brown University, a Master of Science in Space Studies from the International Space University, and a Doctorate in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UCSD). From 2000 to 2003, Dr. Meir worked for Lockheed Martin’s Human Research Facility, supporting human physiology research. During this time, she also participated in research flights on NASA’s reduced gravity aircraft and served as an aquanaut in an underwater habitat for NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO). Prior to becoming an astronaut, her career as a scientist focused on the physiology of animals in extreme environments. Meir most recently served as flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 61 and 62 (September 25, 2019 through April 17, 2020).

More about Jessica

Awards/Honors:
Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2020; UCSD Outstanding Alumni Award (2021); Honorary degrees (2020/2021) - Brown University doctorate (Rhode Island), Bowdoin College (Maine), Luleå University of Technology doctorate (Sweden); Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame (2020); Guinness World Records: first all-female spacewalk (18 Oct 2020); American Physiological Society Early Career Advocacy Science Policy Fellowship (2013); National Science Foundation International Research Post-doctoral Fellowship (2009); Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Scholar Award (2008); Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Fellowship (2006); Department of Defense National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship (2003); Lockheed Martin Space Operations (LMSO) Special Recognition Award (2002); LMSO Employee of the Month (2002); NASA JSC Space and Life Sciences Directorate Special Professional Achievement Award (2002); Lockheed Martin Technology Services “Lightning Award” (2002). Organizations: American Physiological Society, Society for Experimental Biology, Canadian Society of Zoologists, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation.

Join us and hear what motivates and energizes Jessica. Our host, Deb Neuman, will help us all lean in and learn!