Jessica Meir is an American astronaut, marine biologist, and physiologist known for her work with NASA and her groundbreaking role in space exploration. Born on July 1, 1977, in Caribou, Maine, she earned a biology degree from Brown University, a Master’s in space studies from the International Space University, and a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Before becoming an astronaut, she conducted research on animal physiology in extreme environments, including emperor penguins in Antarctica and bar-headed geese in the Himalayas.

Selected by NASA in 2013, Meir made history in 2019 as part of the first all-female spacewalk alongside Christina Koch during her mission aboard the International Space Station. Her work in orbit included scientific experiments related to human biology and Earth observation. Fluent in English and Swedish, she brings a multidisciplinary background and international perspective to her work, bridging the worlds of science and exploration.