Meet: Kathryn M. "Katie" Hamilton

College Intern
NASA Johnson Space Center

How did you begin working at NASA?

It has been my dream to work in the aerospace industry. On June 5, 1995, my dream came true when I came to work at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston for Lockheed-Martin, an aerospace contractor. I work 25-40 hours per week, depending upon my school hours. Fortunately, my manager and supervisor are very flexible with my schedule.

I am studying computer science at the University of Houston at Clear Lake (UHCL) through the UniLink program. The UniLink program provides me the opportunity to be enrolled at UHCL while enjoying the lower costs of a junior college for my first two years. I will still receive my degree from UHCL. I plan on earning a B.S. in Computer Science, an M.S. in Biology and finally, a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. My long-term goal, when I get out of school, is to stay at NASA and eventually become an astronaut.

What kinds of things do you do at NASA?

I do a lot of different and very exciting things here at Johnson Space Center, while working in the Mission Science Office. We handle all the life sciences payloads for both the Space Shuttle program and the Shuttle/Mir program. Among the many tasks I perform are: helping to write experiment descriptions for NASA's Internet site and keep a database with all the inflight photos (there are some really cool pictures!) I also provide support for the Neurolab missions, as well as writing and maintaining a CD-ROM of databases for the Summer Teacher Enhancement Program. We distribute the databases to teachers who come to JSC for two weeks to learn about the space program so that they can take the CDs back and use them in their classrooms. I think that their students would be surprised about how their teachers act OUTSIDE of the classroom!

What do you like most about your work?

What I really like about working for NASA is that I get hands-on experience in the space program. NASA has great people who really care about my education and have been instrumental in encouraging me in my dreams. After meeting astronauts and other people here, I know that my goal is obtainable if I stick to school and gain experience. People here are real, they just work hard for their goals and never give up.

In fact, I love space so much that I volunteer four hours per week at Space Center Houston (SCH)! While at SCH, I take people through tours of the shuttle mock-up, help plan tours, provide tours of the "Starship Gallery" and assist in events like the opening of "Kid's Space Place," where I helped astronauts and other NASA people officially open the new attraction. I think that the single turning point of my life, where I developed my passion for space, was the Challenger disaster. I was in my third grade math class when the explosion occurred and I remember being shocked and afraid. After watching the nation's horrified and sorrowful reaction, especially my teachers', I knew that there was no other job I would want. No matter the risk, I want to be an explorer too.

Who or what influenced you to become involved with NASA?

I am very blessed with influences that have inspired me along my chosen career path. My supervisor, Jacque Havelka is my mentor. My manager, Alan Nordheim and the other group supervisor, Peggy Delaney, also encouraged me along my path by providing support and learning opportunities. Other influences are not as immediate. From a distance, I have watched the careers of several women astronauts with extreme interest: Rhea Seddon, Shannon Lucid, Janice Voss, Kathy Sullivan, Cady Coleman, and Kathy Thornton (I think that any version of the name Kathryn should automatically qualify a person for the astronaut corps!!)

Personal Stuff

I've lived in Texas all my life. I was born in Fredericksburg (although we lived in Kerrville) on September 10, 1976. When I was four I moved to the town I consider home, Baytown (30 minutes from NASA), where I still live.

I really love computers, Italian and Mexican food, writing novels and playing the flute. At college I am involved with Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for junior colleges.

I have received many awards and scholarships over the years. I graduated ninth out of 386 from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown in 1995. I won the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Metropolitan Scholarship for $10,000, which is given for acheivement in scholarship and leadership (among other things). I have been selected for Who's Who Among American Junior College Students and the National Dean's List. In high school, I placed sixth in the State Accounting competition and was a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Award winner.

I live with my Mother, Carmen Hamilton and little brother, Matt Hamilton (a sophomore and tuba player in the "Famous Robert E. Lee Band" at Lee High School in Baytown). We have a basset hound, Goodie who is very spoiled, a cat named Bee-Bow and two turtles. In March 1997 I'm hoping to attend the launch of STS-83 in Florida. I've been invited by a friend and I know that it will be very exciting!

What are your goals and plans for the future?

In some form or another, I hope that I will continue working for the space industry. I really love my job in Mission Science and the people that I work with. In a few years, I hope to join the astronaut corps, but until then I will be content working behind the scenes. I really believe that space is our future and that it is what dreams and hopes are made of. Because of this, I hope to continue volunteering at Space Center Houston and wherever else I am needed.