Dr. Sullivan made history in 1984 when as a member of the Challenger's sixthmission, she became the first American woman to walk in space. A veteran ofthree space shuttle missions, including the 1990 Hubble Space telescopedeployment mission, she has logged more than 500 hours in orbit.
After joining NASA in 1979, Dr. Sullivan sought a commission in the NavalReserve which would allow her to work in applied oceanography and militaryspace programs. Today, she is a commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve and heractive duty assignments have involved anti-submarine warfare operations in theMediterranean, joint-service exercise operations aboard USS Kittyhawk in thePacific and review and management of a $30 million Navy Program inoceanographic and meteoriogic research and development.
The recipient of numerous awards and honors, including NASA medals forexceptional service and outstanding leadership, Dr. Sullivan received herdoctoral degree in geology from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia. It wasduring her graduate studies that her interest in oceanography was peaked andshe participated in a variety of oceanographic expeditions, under the auspicesof the U.S. Geological Survey , Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and theBedford Institute.
A proponent of science education, Dr. Sullivan was picked to lead the designof the original Challenger Center Program Model, which is now in service atover 33 Challenger Learning Centers in the United States and Canada. She hasalso served as an advisor for numerous exhibit and multimedia projectssponsored by National Geographic, the Smithsonian and other organizations. Dr.Sullivan's commitment to science education is complemented by her many publictalks that are focused on schools and educators.