Deniz Burnham
Deniz Burnham | |
---|---|
Born | Deniz Melissa Burnham October 1, 1985 |
Education | University of California, San Diego (BS) University of Southern California (MS) |
Space career | |
NASA astronaut | |
Rank | Lieutenant, USNR |
Selection | NASA Group 23 (2021) |
Deniz Melissa Burnham (born October 1, 1985)[1] is a lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve and NASA astronaut candidate.[2]
Early life and education[edit]
Deniz Burnham was born at Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey to parents Ed and Şahver Burnham. She relocated various times throughout her childhood due to her military family.[3] Her Turkish mother had aspired to be a military officer when she has seen many women officers with success. Her mother later joined the United States Air Force.[4]
Eventually, Burnham moved to Fairfield, California, graduating from Vanden High School. In 2007, Burnham graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. In 2017, she graduated from the University of Southern California with a master's degree in mechanical engineering. During her time in graduate school, Burnham served as an intern at the NASA Ames Research Center.
Career[edit]
For over a decade, Burnham has led offshore oil drilling operations in various locations across the United States and Canada. Burnham currently serves in the United States Navy Reserve as the executive officer of a shipyard operations unit in Alameda, California.[3]
Astronaut candidacy[edit]
On December 6, 2021, Burnham was revealed to be one of ten candidates selected as part NASA Astronaut Group 23.
Personal life[edit]
Burnham currently lives in Wasilla, Alaska with her fiancé Shaun Little. Burnham holds a private pilot license, as well as helicopter and instrument ratings.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Turkey-born woman among NASA astronaut candidates". Yeni Şafak.
- ^ Margetta, Robert (December 6, 2021). "NASA Selects New Astronaut Recruits to Train for Future Missions". NASA.
- ^ a b c "NASA Astronaut Candidate Deniz Burnham". NASA. December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ Speck, Emilee (December 6, 2021). "Drilling engineer, SpaceX doctor among NASA's new astronaut candidates". Fox Weather.