Catherine Coleman

Catherine Coleman is a Professor at Arizona State University (ASU), serving as the Global Explorer in Residence and Professor of Practice in the School of Earth and Space Exploration. She co-hosts the Mission: Interplanetary podcast, exploring future challenges in space with experts. Previously, she had a distinguished career as a NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force colonel, logging over 180 days in space, including two Space Shuttle missions and a six-month stint on the International Space Station. Her roles at NASA included Chief of Robotics and leading supply ship integration, pivotal in advancing commercial spaceflight collaborations.

Educated at MIT (B.S. Chemistry, 1983) and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (Ph.D. Polymer Science and Engineering, 1991), Coleman’s research focuses on leadership in extreme environments, teamwork dynamics, and inclusion in STEM fields. She advocates for diversity in STEAM disciplines and has been a vocal proponent for systemic change in space exploration.

She advises organizations such as Earthrise Alliance and serves on boards including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Greenfield Community College, and Skycatch. Notably, she consulted on Gravity (coaching Sandra Bullock) and authored the memoir Sharing Space. Her contributions extend to media commentary, TED Talks, and global speaking engagements on leadership, innovation, and inclusion.