JENNIFER KWONG

I joined the NAI staff in July 1999. Prior to joining the NAI Education and Outreach team, I worked for five years in the Space Life Sciences Division as an Experiment Support Scientist on mammalian development and aquatic payloads and as a Science Requirements Coordinator on the Cell Culture Unit hardware development team. As a Technical Writer, I am responsible for content development for the NAI public website.

The most exciting aspect about being a Technical Writer and Website Coordinator is that I have the opportunity to share the cutting edge science that the Institute is involved with. Many of the Astrobiologists that I feature on the NAI webiste are looking for evidence of life on other planets and researching the origin of life on Earth. I feel very fortunate to work in the field of Astrobiology because I am exposed to various aspects of life, planetary and earth sciences.

Throughout my school career I had always excelled in writing, public speaking, and humanities. I believe I was directed away from taking math and science classes in favor of more liberal arts type classes because my professors and advisors felt I was more of a natural in the liberal arts. However, it was the sciences that continuously challenged me and captured an interest that I cultivated throughout college.

One obstacle that I had to overcome to get where I am today is that my professors and student advisors constantly told me that I was not "cut out" for the sciences, since the liberal arts were such a breeze for me. Although taking the more challenging path had its low points, I knew that my perseverance and hard work would pay off.

A few "words of wisdom " that I can offer are: Do something that creates a fire in your heart.

Archive of chats with Jennifer:

• 1-13-98 Quest Chat