Jeanette Jo Epps
Personal Information
Born: 1970
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Black
Education
1992, BS Physics, LeMoyne College; 1994 MS, 2000 PhD Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland
Professional Life
Field of Study: Astronautics; Aerospace Engineering
Institution/Corporation: NASA, Boeing, Ford
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree: LeMoyne College (2016); Member: Society for Science & the Public; AIAA; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororoity
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2012, Academy of Distinguished Alumni, University of Maryland; 2013, Johnson Space Center Director s Innovation Group Achievement Award; 2014, Glenn L. Martin Medal, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland; NASA GSRP Fellowship 1996, 1997, 1998, & 1999; 2003, 2004, & 2008, Exceptional Performance Award
Achievements: research at Ford resulted in 1 patent for reducing vibration in suspension control arms; and a provisional patent for collision detection; was an aquanaut on Aquarius underwater lab during NEEMO 18 exploration (2014); participated in geological studies in Hawaii; scheduled for 2 space missions to ISS, but pulled from both with no explanation
Has been selected to fly to ISS in early 2024 as part of SpaceX Crew-8 crew
Was chosen for the 20th class of NASA astronauts in 2009, graduating in 2011
2nd female & 1st African-american woman to participate in CAVES (Cooperative Adventure for Valuing & Exercising human behavior & performance Skills) a European space Agency astronaut training course where they train in space-analog cave environments
Has a twin sister, Janet
Her work at Ford Motor Company led to 2 patents
Worked at the CIA for 7 years
Was an aquanaut aboard Aquarius underwater lab during NEEMO 18 undersea exploration mission for 9 days