Women of NASA Web Chat

Date: January 13, 1998

Featuring: Jennifer Kwong Experiment Support Scientist

[ JenniferKwong - 12 - 13:05:22 ]
RE: [Tish/NASAChatHost] Good Afternoon everyone. Welcome to the chat with Jennifer Kwong. Jennifer, when you are ready to begin let us know.
Thanks Tish. My name is Jennifer Kwong and I have been working in NASA's Space Life Sciences Division for 3.5 years. Currently I am working on 2 shuttle missions involving aquatic organisms. I am looking forward to chatting with all of you about life science payloads.

[ JenniferKwong - 18 - 13:17:24 ]
RE: [Mary-SeattleWA] Hi Jennifer - we had problems getting in but we are glad to be here now! We would like to know more about the missions. Will there be astronauts on board?
Yes there will be astronauts on board perfomring the experiments. There will be approxiametly 5-7 astronauts on the shuttle.

[ JenniferKwong - 20 - 13:21:10 ]
RE: [Patti/CJHS] Jennifer, can you tell me what it is you do for the projects you're involved in? What does an Experiment Support Scientist do?
An Experiment Support Scientist, more commonly called an ESS, work with the researchers to fly their experiments on board the shuttle. Duties that I perform are documentation, development of experiment requirements and development of experiment unique equipment.

[ JenniferKwong - 22 - 13:25:33 ]
RE: [James-SeattleWA] When are the missions flying and how long will they run experiments?
The first mission that I am working on which is called CEBAS (Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System) will launch Jan. 22, 1998. The second mission I am working on is called Neurolab and will launch April 2, 1998. Both missions will launch from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaverial Florida.

[ JenniferKwong - 23 - 13:28:56 ]
RE: [Carolyn-Carolyn/CraigHighSchool] Hi Jennifer, Have you had a chance to talk to any of your former teachers?---Bet they are impressed!!
Hi Carolyn, yep you are online. Yes, I have had a chance to correspond with my marine biology professors at University of the Pacific. Yes, they are quite happy with what I have done with my degree following graduation. Hopefully, they can come down to Florida to see one of the shuttle launches.

[ JenniferKwong - 27 - 13:35:56 ]
RE: [Sarah-SeattleWA] Why do you think you were able to overcome the negative feelings that your teacher had about you now being able to do biology and do you think this still happens in classrooms now?
The lack of support that I received from some of my biology teachers and academic advisors was often very frustrating. However, I knew that science was a field that was not only interesting but challenging as well. This inspired me to pursue a degree in biology. Despite the obstacles that I encountered, I kept at it. I think there will always be people in not only our classroooms but life as well that will place obstacles in one's path, however if you believe in something, then it is important to pursue it.

[ JenniferKwong - 30 - 13:40:05 ]
RE: [Justine15-Justine/Clonlara] Could you explain what CEBAS is?
CEBAS stands for Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System. This is a closed aquatic ecosystem that contains water snails, aquatic plants and swordtail fish. This facility allows the scientist to perform microgravity experiments mainly in the areas of zoology, botany and developmental biology. In addition, this project will provide insight on the development of artificial ecosystems.

[ JenniferKwong - 32 - 13:45:07 ]
RE: [Patti/CJHS] When you use the term development of experiment requirements, do you mean that you plan out what needs to be done in an experiment? and if so, where do you get that information from? Do you get to decide which experiments you want to work on?
When I was hired for this job, I was assigned to work on the development of the aquatic experiments. When I develop the experiment requirements I obtain the information from the experiment proposal that was submitted to NASA, the past research that has been performed in the laboratory and from constant interfacing with the primary scientist.

[ JenniferKwong - 33 - 13:46:25 ]
RE: [Micki-Kateri/ApexHigh] Jennifer, how long have you been working with NASA?
I have been working at Ames Research Center for 3 1/2 years. This is my first job after graduating from college.

[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 34 - 13:46:55 ]
RE: [Carolyn-Carolyn/CraigHighSchool] We are very excited about a pilot project at our HS with developing peer mentorships between 7yh grade girls and 11th grade girls who show talent in math, science, technology. We have the support of the American Assoc. of University Women and have many projects planned for the girls. The objective is to keep these talented girls i the sciences.Do you have any ideas for us or funding sources we might tap into?
I would suggest you contact the Autodesk Foundation. There is a link to their foundation page from our resource page which highlights their upcoming conference. (http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women/resources.html)

[ JenniferKwong - 35 - 13:52:29 ]
RE: [Carolyn-Carolyn/CraigHighSchool] We are very excited about a pilot project at our HS with developing peer mentorships between 7yh grade girls and 11th grade girls who show talent in math, science, technology. We have the support of the American Assoc. of University Women and have many projects planned for the girls. The objective is to keep these talented girls i the sciences.Do you have any ideas for us or funding sources we might tap into?
Unfortunately, I do not know of any funding sources that you can utilize. However, I think the best means to maintain the student's interest in the math and sciences is to allow them to do some actual work in their field of interest. You can do this by either working with local companies or research institutes (like universities) to develop an internship program. This way the students get some "real" exposure to a professional setting and the institutes get a little extra help with their workload.

[ JenniferKwong - 37 - 13:56:33 ]
RE: [James-SeattleWA] How long will the missions run and where exactly will the shuttle fly to?
The January mission will launch on Jan. 22 and land on Jan. 31, with the opportunity to orbit for one extra day if weather does not permit a safe landing at Kennedy Space Center. The April mission will launch April 2 and land April 19. The shuttle will travel in an east/west near-circular orbit, approxiametly 170 miles above the earth.

[ JenniferKwong - 40 - 13:59:59 ]
RE: [Mary-SeattleWA] What other types of careers could you pursue with your education and background? Do you think you will stay at NASA for a long time?
I am very fortunate to have an educational background that will me to work in many areas of biotechnology. If given the opportunity to stay with the NASA Ames Research Center's Life Science Division, I hope to stay with this job for many years!

[ JenniferKwong - 41 - 14:02:25 ]
RE: [Micki-Kateri/ApexHigh] Where you interested in science when you were little? If not when did you start getting interested?
Yes, I was always interested in how things work. I believe I was really fortunate to have elementary school teachers that planned many "hands on" science projects.

[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 42 - 14:03:50 ]
Our time with Jennifer is just about up. If you can answer the last few questions posted Jennifer, that would be great. We understand if you have to go though. This chat will be archived later today and linked to Jennifer profile. Thank you all for your terrific questions.

[ Tish/NASAChatHost - 43 - 14:05:39 ]
I think that covers it Jennifer.Thank you so much for your thoughtful answers. I hope you enjoyed it.

[ JenniferKwong - 44 - 14:07:51 ]
Thanks for a great experience.