Born: 1978
Biography:
Kathleen Hallisey Rubins, born on October 14, 1978, is an American microbiologist and NASA astronaut. She has made a significant impact on space exploration and has become a role model for women interested in science and space. Rubins became the 60th woman to fly in space when she launched on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 7, 2016. After spending three and a half months in space, she returned to Earth in Kazakhstan on October 30, 2016, aboard a Soyuz spacecraft.
Growing up in Farmington, Connecticut, Rubins later moved to Napa, California, where she was raised. From a young age, her fascination with space led her to dream of becoming an astronaut. In seventh grade, she even did chores around the house to fund a trip to Space Camp. It was there that her passion for space exploration was further ignited. Inspired by the experience, Rubins decided to take more math and science classes in school.
Rubins attended Vintage High School in Napa, California, and graduated in 1996. She went on to pursue her higher education at the University of California, San Diego, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology. During her time at UC San Diego, she was a member of the Kappa Lambda chapter of the Chi Omega sorority. Rubins continued her academic journey by obtaining a Ph.D. degree in cancer biology from Stanford University Medical School, where she studied in the Biochemistry Department and Microbiology and Immunology Department.
While at Stanford, Rubins conducted valuable research on HIV-1 integration at the Infectious Diseases Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Her work primarily focused on understanding the mechanism of HIV integration and studying the genomic patterns of HIV integration into host DNA. She also collaborated with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the first model of smallpox infection. Rubins played a crucial role in mapping the poxvirus transcriptome and investigating virus-host interactions.
Following her doctoral studies, Rubins accepted a Fellow/Principal Investigator position at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in Massachusetts. There, she continued her research on viruses and host interactions, contributing significant insights to the field of microbiology.
Rubins’ lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut finally came true when she joined NASA as a member of the 2009 astronaut class. She underwent rigorous training and preparation, both physically and mentally, to be ready for space missions. Her exceptional skills and contributions led to her selection for the Expedition 48/49 and Expedition 63/64 of the International Space Station.
During her time in space, Rubins spent a total of 300 days, 1 hour, and 31 minutes, making her the fourth U.S. female astronaut with the most time spent in space. Her dedication to scientific research and her commitment to advancing our understanding of space exploration have been instrumental in furthering our knowledge of microgravity and its effects on the human body.
Rubins’ achievements and contributions to space exploration have been widely recognized. Her work has not only paved the way for future generations of astronauts but has also inspired young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Her impact on society extends beyond the boundaries of space, as she continues to inspire and empower others with her remarkable journey.
Awards:
– TBD
(Note: No official awards or recognitions have been listed for Kathleen Rubins at the time of this writing.)