Biography:
Serena Maria Auñón-Chancellor, born on April 9, 1976, is an American physician, engineer, and NASA astronaut. She has made significant contributions to space exploration and has left a lasting impact on the field of aerospace medicine.
Auñón-Chancellor attended Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colorado. She then pursued her higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from George Washington University. Continuing her academic journey, she obtained a Medical Doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) in 2001. She further expanded her knowledge by completing a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in 2006.
After completing her medical education, Auñón-Chancellor undertook a three-year residency in internal medicine at UTMB in Galveston, Texas. Her dedication and expertise led her to be appointed as the Chief Resident for an additional year. During her residency, she also pursued a specialized interest in aerospace medicine, completing a residency in this field at UTMB. She became board-certified in Internal Medicine and Aerospace Medicine, solidifying her expertise in both areas.
Auñón-Chancellor’s career took an exciting turn when she was hired by NASA as a flight surgeon. She spent over nine months in Russia, supporting medical operations for International Space Station astronauts. Her valuable contributions to spaceflight crewmember clinical care and her role in the development of medical kits for launch and landing in Kazakhstan led her to receive the prestigious 2009 Julian E. Ward Memorial Award from the Aerospace Medical Association.
In June 2009, Auñón-Chancellor was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA, marking a significant milestone in her career. She successfully completed the rigorous astronaut candidacy training program in 2011, showcasing her determination, resilience, and adaptability. As part of her training, she even had the opportunity to spend two months in Antarctica as part of the ANSMET expedition, contributing to the exploration of new areas and the collection of valuable meteorites.
Auñón-Chancellor’s journey with NASA continued to flourish as she contributed to various missions and projects. She served as the deputy crew surgeon for STS-127 and Expedition 22 and assumed the role of deputy lead for Orion – Medical Operations. In addition, she piloted a DeepWorker 2000 submersible as part of the NASA/NOAA NEEMO 16 underwater exploration mission in 2012. Her dedication to advancing research and expanding our understanding of space has been evident throughout her career.
As a Management Astronaut in the Astronaut Office, Auñón-Chancellor played a crucial role in addressing medical issues and providing on-orbit support. Her expertise and knowledge have been invaluable in ensuring the well-being of astronauts and the success of space missions. In January 2020, she released a study on an unnamed astronaut who had to treat their own deep vein thrombosis on the International Space Station. This study exemplifies her commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving the healthcare capabilities in space.
While Auñón-Chancellor’s career has been filled with remarkable accomplishments, she has also faced challenges along the way. In 2021, Russian state-owned news service TASS published accusations from an anonymous source claiming Auñón-Chancellor drilled a hole in the Soyuz spacecraft module attached to the ISS in 2018. However, no evidence was provided to implicate her, and the accusation was vehemently denied by NASA. These accusations arose during a period of strained relations between NASA and the Russian space agency.
Auñón-Chancellor’s research focuses on the medical implications of space radiation exposure, with a particular interest in computer modeling of the radiation environment. Her contributions in this field have been instrumental in guaranteeing the safety and well-being of astronauts during space missions.
With her remarkable accomplishments, dedication to scientific research, and pioneering spirit, Serena Auñón-Chancellor has left an indelible mark on the field of aerospace medicine and space exploration. Her work serves as an inspiration to future generations, especially women, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and make significant contributions to the realm of space science and exploration.
Awards:
– 2009 Julian E. Ward Memorial Award from the Aerospace Medical Association