Two Johns Hopkins University alumni have been selected for NASA's 2025 astronaut class, bringing their unique backgrounds and expertise to the space agency. Rebecca Lawler, a former hurricane hunter, and Imelda Muller, a former undersea medical officer, are among the 10 individuals chosen from over 8,000 applicants. Their journeys to becoming astronauts are as diverse as their experiences.
Lawler, who earned a master's degree in space systems engineering, began her career as a naval aviator. She was drawn to the idea of solving technical problems while serving her country. After a brief stint at NOAA, where she flew during hurricane seasons and worked on coastal mapping, she joined United Airlines' test team. This diverse career path led her to apply for NASA's astronaut program, and she was eventually selected.
Muller, on the other hand, worked as an undersea medical officer in the Navy, gaining expertise in diving medicine and nuclear medicine. Her experience in a multidisciplinary environment, working with scientific questions, and her time at the Navy Experimental Diving Unit, where she participated in saturation diving, made her a strong candidate for NASA. Muller's residency in anesthesiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine further enhanced her qualifications.
Both women are now immersed in a rigorous two-year training program, covering various disciplines to prepare for missions on the International Space Station and beyond. They practice spacewalks in a swimming pool, undergo robotics training, and study team dynamics. The training also focuses on the physiological changes associated with long-duration space missions, ensuring astronauts are physically and mentally prepared.
Despite their different paths to becoming astronauts, Lawler and Muller share a common goal: to contribute their unique skills and experiences to NASA's missions. They are eager to see Earth from space, experience the physiological changes of space travel, and contribute to the advancement of space exploration.
