Meet: Jay Garland, Ph.D.

Manager of the Life Support Group
Kennedy Space Center

Who I am

Hi my name is Jay Garland. I work for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) as a manager for the Life Support Group. My main responsibility is to manage the overall program and do specific research within the program. For example, I am currently involved in research surrounding composting and gray water studies.

My Career Journey

I grew up in Ohio and I received my bachelor of science degree in Zoology from Ohio State University. I then went on to graduate school and received my masters degree in biology at Virginia Tech. After my Masters, I responded to an ad at KSC and worked as an assistant in a student-training program. Following my 1-1/2 year stay at KSC, I went back to school at the University of Virginia to finish my education by getting my Ph.D. I graduated in 1991 and returned to Kennedy as a lead scientist in microbial research. Two years later I became the overall manager for Kennedy's Life Support Group.

Influences

I never thought that I would like biology, however, my high school wrestling coach convinced me to take biology. I really enjoyed my science classes, so I continued to take them in college. In college my advisors and I had very positive relationships, and I still talk to them from time to time.

Likes about my career

The most appealing thing about science is research. Every experiment that we do at KSC presents new challenges and discoveries. Each day is never the same.

Personal info

I am married with three kids: two boys and a girl. My wife's name is Victoria and my kid's names are Nathaniel, age 11; Wyatt who's in the 3rd grade; and Miranda, age 3. I enjoy spending time with my family traveling and seeing new places. In the spring we plan on taking a trip to Europe for a month. My family and I really like the out of doors. We go on camping trips, fishing and sailing on the river.

Advice

At the beginning don't worry so much about what you want to do for a career. It will work itself out in the end. Just remember to enjoy what you do and always give your best.