Astronaut Jessica Meir Connects with Brown University Students from Space
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Fall 2026 semester began on an extraordinary note for Brown University students and space enthusiasts. NASA astronaut and Brown alumna Jessica Meir engaged with around 75 students and faculty during a remote session from the International Space Station (ISS), located 250 miles above Earth.
Meir shared her journey to becoming an astronaut and described her experiences aboard the ISS, where she works in a unique environment that travels at 17,000 miles per hour. During the one-hour session, she also provided a virtual tour of the ISS and showcased stunning views from the space station’s Cupola.
Jim Head, a Brown professor and planetary scientist, led the conversation, facilitating student questions directed to Meir. Brown President Christina H. Paxson introduced the event, though some details were withheld to respect NASA’s routine behavioral health protocols for astronauts.
“Jessica’s excitement in answering student questions was a clear sign of the rewarding nature of careers in science and technology,” said Head.
Meir, a Brown graduate (1999) with a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, joined NASA’s astronaut class in 2013. Her first mission, which included a historic all-woman spacewalk, took place during NASA’s Expedition 61 in 2019. Currently, she is the commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12, which will return later this year.
Head, who previously facilitated Meir’s first astronaut meeting with John Glenn while she was a student, expressed pride in her achievements.
Junior Karunmay Aggarwal, aspiring to be an astronaut, shared his enthusiasm about the opportunity to converse with Meir. “It was an awesome experience! Seeing an idol answer my questions live from space is definitely a bucket list item for me,” he exclaimed.
This enlightening interaction provided Brown students with a unique glimpse into the life of an astronaut, emphasizing the endless possibilities within the fields of science and technology.
