# Jessica Meir > Swedish-American marine biologist and astronaut **Wikidata**: [Q4795114](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4795114) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Meir) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jessica-meir ## Summary Jessica Meir was born on July 1, 1977 and holds dual citizenship of the United States and Sweden. She is a marine biologist, explorer, aircraft pilot, astronaut, and university teacher, and practices Judaism[1].Her employers have included Harvard University, the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (2013–present), Harvard Medical School (2012–2013), and the University of British Columbia (2009–2012)[2][3][4]. She has received an honorary doctorate from Luleå University of Technology and been inducted into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame[5][6]. ## Summary Jessica Meir is a Swedish-American marine biologist, astronaut, and aircraft pilot of paternal Iraqi-Jewish descent. She is a member of NASA Astronaut Group 21, selected in 2013, and serves as a crew member of spacecraft. Meir is also recognized as an explorer and university teacher affiliated with institutions such as Harvard University and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. ## Biography - **Born:** [Date and place not provided in source material] - **Nationality:** Swedish-American - **Education:** Affiliated with Brown University, International Space University, Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of British Columbia - **Known for:** Work as a marine biologist and astronaut; selection as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 21 - **Employer(s):** Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; NASA (implied by Astronaut Group 21) - **Field(s):** Marine biology, space exploration, aviation, education ## Contributions Jessica Meir has contributed to the fields of marine biology and space exploration through her professional roles and affiliations. As a marine biologist, she has been associated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a center for ocean and Earth science research. Her academic contributions include work as a university teacher at institutions such as Harvard University and the University of British Columbia. As an astronaut selected in 2013, she serves as a crew member of spacecraft, contributing to human spaceflight operations. Additionally, her work as an aircraft pilot and explorer supports her role in searching out new information through travel. ## FAQs **What is Jessica Meir's ethnic and national background?** Jessica Meir is of Swedish-American nationality and is of paternal Iraqi-Jewish descent. **Which astronaut group does Jessica Meir belong to?** She is a member of NASA Astronaut Group 21, a group of astronauts selected in 2013. **What academic and research institutions is Jessica Meir connected to?** She is affiliated with Brown University, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, International Space University, Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, and the University of British Columbia. **Has Jessica Meir received any awards or honorary degrees?** Yes, she has received an honorary doctor of Luleå University of Technology in Sweden and has been recognized by the Maine Women's Hall of Fame in the United States. **What are Jessica Meir's primary professions?** She is a marine biologist, astronaut, aircraft pilot, explorer, and university teacher. ## Why They Matter Jessica Meir holds significance as a scientist and explorer who operates at the intersection of marine biology and space exploration. Her selection in NASA Astronaut Group 21 highlights her role in advancing human spaceflight. As a woman inducted into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame and a recipient of an honorary doctorate from a Swedish university, she represents international recognition in both scientific and aerospace communities. Her diverse affiliations with prestigious research institutions underscore her broad impact across multiple scientific disciplines. ## Notable For - Selection as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 21 in 2013. - Induction into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame. - Recipient of an honorary doctorate from Luleå University of Technology in Sweden. - Affiliation with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Harvard Medical School. - Professional roles as a marine biologist, astronaut, and aircraft pilot. - Identity as a Swedish-American astronaut of paternal Iraqi-Jewish descent. ## Body ### Identity and Heritage Jessica Meir, also known by the alias Jessica Ulrika Meir, is a human individual classified as a Swedish-American marine biologist and astronaut. She is specifically noted for her paternal Iraqi-Jewish descent. Her professional identity encompasses multiple roles, including that of an explorer, aircraft pilot, and university teacher. ### Academic and Research Affiliations Meir is connected to a wide array of prestigious educational and research institutions. Her affiliations include Brown University, a private university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. She is also associated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which serves as a center for ocean and Earth science research within the United States. Her academic ties extend internationally to the International Space University, a space university located in France. Additionally, she has affiliations with Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, both private institutions located in Massachusetts, United States. She is also linked to the University of British Columbia, a public research university headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. ### Career as an Astronaut A defining aspect of Meir's career is her selection as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 21. This group of astronauts was selected in the year 2013. As an astronaut, she is defined as a person who commands, pilots, or serves as a crew member of a spacecraft. Her work in this capacity is associated with the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, a NASA field center located in Houston, Texas, United States. ### Professional Roles Beyond her duties as an astronaut, Meir engages in work as an aircraft pilot, controlling aircraft in flight. She is also classified as an explorer, a person who, by means of travel, searches out new information. In the academic sphere, she has served as a university teacher, teaching at the university or college level. ### Recognition and Awards Jessica Meir has received formal recognition for her contributions and standing. She is an honoree of the Maine Women's Hall of Fame, an American award based in the United States. Furthermore, she has been awarded an honorary doctor of Luleå University of Technology, an honor originating from Sweden. ## References 1. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0002-4215-4302/employment/7070008) 2. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0002-4215-4302/employment/7070021) 3. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0002-4215-4302/employment/7070041) 4. [Source](https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-risk-no-reward-says-fearless-jewish-astronaut-jessica-meir/) 5. [Förteckning över hedersdoktorer vid Luleå tekniska universitet sedan 1981](https://www.ltu.se/ltu/ltu50ar/Hedersdoktorer) 6. [Source](https://www.uma.edu/about/community/mwhof/) 7. Google Knowledge Graph 8. [Det går inte at få panik i rymden. 2018](https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/qs/jessica-40-blir-forsta-svenska-kvinnan-i-rymden-jag-trodde-det-var-kort/)