Speak with NASA Astronaut
Serena Auñòn-Chancellor, MD, MPH
Dr. Auñón-Chancellor graduated from Poudre High School, Fort Collins, Colorado, received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and a Doctorate of Medicine from The University of Texas- Health Science Center in Houston. She completed a three-year residency in Internal Medicine in 2004 followed by a chief year in 2005, and an Aerospace Medicine residency and Master of Public Health in 2007 all from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She is board certified in both Internal and Aerospace Medicine. She is a member of the American College of Physicians; Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society; Tau Beta Pi, The National Engineering Honor Society; American College of Preventive Medicine; and the Aerospace Medical Association.
Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor began working with NASA as a Flight Surgeon in 2006. In 2009, she was selected as a NASA astronaut. During her NASA career, Dr. Auñón-Chancellor spent more than nine months in Russia supporting medical operations for International Space Station crew members in Star City, Russia. She also served as Deputy Crew Surgeon for STS-127. Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor began her career at the NASA Johnson Space Center in August 2006, employed as a Flight Surgeon under the UTMB / Wyle Bioastronautics Contract. She spent more than nine months in Russia supporting medical operations for ISS crew members in Star City, including water survival training in Ukraine. In addition to serving as Deputy Crew Surgeon for STS-127, she held the role of Deputy Lead for Orion - Medical Operations.
In July 2009, she was selected as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. She completed training in 2011 which included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in space station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water, and wilderness survival training. She served as an Aquanaut aboard the Aquarius underwater laboratory during the NEEMO 20 undersea exploration mission. In her previous role, she handled medical issues for both the Commercial Crew and International Space Station Operations branch. She currently serves in the International Space Station Operations branch to handle medical issues and as a certified space station Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM). In her spare time, Dr. Auñón-Chancellor keeps up her medical skills and gives back to the community often with the St. Vincent’s House community clinic.
Dr. Auñón-Chancellor is currently a part of the Expedition 56/57 crew that launched to the International Space Station in June 2018.