Mae Jemison, M.D.

Dr. Mae Jemison, physician, engineer, educator and entrepreneur, was the first woman of color in the world to go into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour and was a NASA astronaut for six years. She is the Principal for the 100 Year Starship Project and her leadership and vision provides guidance and direction for the foundation and in fulfilling its goal of ensuring all the capabilities for a successful human journey to another star will exist by 2112.

Dr. Jemison started The Jemison Group, Inc., a technology consulting firm integrating critical socio-cultural issues into the design, development and implementation of engineering and science projects. As an Environmental Studies professor at Dartmouth College, she taught classes on and researched technology design and sustainable development with special emphasis on developing countries. She is a worldwide respected voice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and is founder of the non-profit Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence. She started The Earth We Share^™, a unique international science literacy curriculum and program that builds student critical thinking and problem solving skills as they gain science knowledge and skills, and trains middle and secondary school teachers in experiential education. Dr. Jemison was the founding Chairman of the state of Texas’ Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board. Prior joining to NASA she was the Area Peace Corps Medical Officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia and a general practice physician in Los Angeles. She is on the boards of Kimberly-Clark, Scholastic, and Valspar.

A member of the National Academies of Science’s Institute of Medicine, Dr. Jemison is also an inductee of the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the National Medical Association Hall of Fame, and Texas Science Hall of Fame and recipient of the National Organization for Women’s Intrepid Award and the Kilby Science Award among many honors. An author of lay literature and technical articles, Dr. Jemison is sought for commentary on space exploration, science education, diversity, sustainability and development.

Dr. Jemison earned her B.S., Chemical Engineering and fulfilled requirements for A.B., African and Afro-American Studies from Stanford University and received her M.D. from Cornell University.