Born: 1962 (Cleveland, Ohio)
Biography:
Mary Ellen Weber (born August 24, 1962) is an American executive, scientist, aviator, and former NASA astronaut. She has made significant contributions to the fields of chemistry, engineering, and space exploration, leaving a lasting impact on society.
Weber was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Bedford Heights, Ohio. She displayed an early passion for science and mathematics, which she further pursued throughout her education. Weber graduated from Bedford High School in 1980 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University in 1984. During her time at Purdue, she excelled academically and was a member of the Phi Mu sorority.
Continuing her educational journey, Weber pursued a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, which she successfully obtained in 1988. Her doctoral research focused on the physics of chemical reactions involving silicon, demonstrating her expertise in this field. Weber’s commitment to knowledge and growth did not stop there; she also earned an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University in 2002, expanding her skills beyond scientific disciplines.
Prior to joining NASA, Weber gained valuable professional experience through various internships and roles within the industry. As an undergraduate student, she interned at Ohio Edison, Delco Electronics, and 3M, gaining hands-on experience in chemical engineering. Additionally, she conducted research at Texas Instruments, where she contributed to the development of new processes and revolutionary equipment for computer chip manufacturing. During this time, Weber published nine scientific papers and secured a patent, solidifying her reputation as a capable researcher and innovator.
Weber’s impressive qualifications caught the attention of NASA, and she was selected as a member of the fourteenth group of astronauts in 1992. Her career at NASA spanned ten years, during which she held several key positions. Weber played a vital role in technology commercialization initiatives and worked alongside a venture capital firm to identify and develop a business venture based on space technology. In addition, she served as the Legislative Affairs liaison at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where she interacted with Congress and accompanied NASA’s chief executive on official travels.
One of Weber’s noteworthy achievements at NASA was her role as chairman of the procurement board for the Biotechnology Program contractor. She also contributed to the revamping of the $2 billion plan for Space Station research facilities. Within the Astronaut Office, Weber’s principal technical assignments included Shuttle launch preparations at the Kennedy Space Center, payload and science development, and the establishment of standards and methods for crew science training.
Weber’s dedication and expertise led her to participate in two space flights. She was a mission specialist on the crew of STS-70, which launched on July 13, 1995, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. During this mission, Weber deployed a critical $200 million NASA communications satellite, TDRS-G, into orbit. She also conducted groundbreaking biotechnology experiments, cultivating colon cancer tissues that were previously impossible to grow. Weber’s contributions as a biotechnology spokesperson for NASA were highly regarded.
In recognition of her outstanding service and contributions to NASA, Weber was honored with the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. She is also remembered for being among the youngest astronauts to fly in space, further inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science and exploration.
Despite her achievements and contributions, Weber resigned from NASA in December 2002. While her time at NASA came to an end, her impact on the field of space exploration and her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge remain integral parts of her legacy.
Awards:
– NASA Exceptional Service Medal