NASA's Astronaut Jessica Meir Set to Deliver Speech at UC San Diego's Graduation Ceremony
UC San Diego, a renowned powerhouse for research and exploration, is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which welcomes half a million visitors each year. The institution, particularly Scripps Oceanography, is one of the world's most important centers for global earth science research and education.
Despite not having any notable alumni specifically recognised as part of NASA's astronaut program in recent search results, UC San Diego has produced a remarkable alumna in Jessica Meir. Meir, who studied microbial biology and marine biology at UC San Diego, has made history by sequencing DNA in space and was recently selected to join NASA's Artemis Team.
Meir's accomplishments include conducting the world's first all-female spacewalk in 2019, along with fellow astronaut Christina Koch, and completing a six-month expedition to the International Space Station in 2020. She has also emphasised the importance of teamwork skills learned at NASA, which she attributes to her Scripps mentors.
In a testament to her achievements, Jessica Meir has been chosen as the keynote speaker for the 2022 All Campus Commencement Ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, June 11 at RIMAC Field. Graduates and their guests are invited to attend the in-person ceremony, and a livestream of the event will be available on UC San Diego's Commencement website.
Meir will also be participating in a livestream Q&A with middle-school students from the Scripps Seaside Forum, sharing her experiences and inspiring the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders. Navy Lt. Deniz Burnham, another UC San Diego alumna who studied chemical engineering, was selected to NASA's astronaut training program in late 2021, adding to the university's strong involvement in space sciences and astronomy.
While UC San Diego does not have any alumni astronauts directly mentioned in the current search results, the university's connection to space exploration is evident through its graduates like Jessica Meir and Megan McArthur, who holds a PhD in oceanography from Scripps and has made two trips to space.
Despite the lack of notable UC San Diego alumni in NASA's astronaut corps, Jessica Meir's selection as the keynote speaker for the commencement ceremony underscores the university's commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders. UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla described Meir as an ambassador of peace and goodwill, a fitting description for an individual who has inspired countless individuals with her achievements in space.
- Jessica Meir, a UC San Diego alumna with a focus on microbial biology and marine biology, has been selected to join NASA's Artemis Team, showcasing the university's significant role in oceanographic research, science, and education.
- UC San Diego's commitment to education and self-development is further demonstrated by Jessica Meir, the keynote speaker for the 2022 All Campus Commencement Ceremony, who is inspiring the next generation of scientists and environmental leaders through her livestream Q&A with middle-school students from the Scripps Seaside Forum.
