Serena Auñón-Chancellor

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ISS Expedition 56 Patch

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ISS Expedition 57 Patch

Serena Auñón-Chancellor is an American physician and NASA astronaut of Cuban heritage. Born on April 9, 1976, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she has made significant contributions to both medicine and space exploration. Auñón-Chancellor's career is a testament to her dedication to science, medicine, and the exploration of space, making her a prominent figure in the fields of aerospace medicine and human spaceflight.

Early Life and Education

Serena M. Auñón was born to a Cuban-American family, which influenced her multicultural outlook and bilingual abilities. She pursued her education with a focus on engineering and medicine, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University in 1997. Her passion for medicine led her to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2001. Furthering her specialization in internal medicine, Auñón-Chancellor completed her residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, where she also served as the Chief Resident.

Career in Medicine

Before joining NASA, Auñón-Chancellor worked as a physician, specializing in internal and aerospace medicine. She was involved in medical projects in remote locations, including serving as the flight surgeon for NASA's underwater Aquarius habitat during the NEEMO 12 mission in 2007. Her medical expertise also took her to Antarctica, where she spent time as a doctor for the United States Antarctic Program, providing medical care in extreme environments.

NASA Career

Auñón-Chancellor's journey with NASA began in 2009 when she was selected as one of the 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. Her training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station (ISS) systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and wilderness survival training. She officially became an astronaut in 2011.

Her most notable spaceflight experience came in 2018, when she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 56/57 to the ISS. Launched on June 6, 2018, aboard Soyuz MS-09, she spent a total of 197 days in space, conducting scientific research in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science. Her mission was instrumental in advancing our understanding of the impacts of long-duration spaceflight on the human body.

Legacy and Impact

Serena Auñón-Chancellor's work has significantly contributed to the intersection of medicine and space exploration. Her research and experiences have provided valuable insights into how the human body adapts to long-term space travel, which is crucial for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As a role model, she inspires future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers, especially young women and members of the Hispanic community.

Personal Life

In addition to her professional achievements, Auñón-Chancellor is known for her advocacy for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and her efforts to inspire young people to pursue careers in these fields. She is fluent in Spanish, which allows her to engage with a broader audience in her outreach activities.