Electrical Engineer & Science Communicator; First Mexican-Born Woman in Space
Kat Echazarreta: Biography at a Glance
- Katya Echazarreta gained notoriety as the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space.
- An electrical engineer, Katya was chosen out of seven thousand applicants by Space for Humanity, a non-profit organization that selects leaders from around the world to experience space flight.
- She has since been on the cover of Vogue and Cosmo, named Glamour's Woman of the Year, and partnered with Mattel on her own Barbie.
- Katya's professional life began with an internship at NASA that eventually turned into a full-time job as a member of five missions in which she has served as a test engineer.
- Katya served as co-host on Netflix’s IRL and can currently be seen sharing her scientific knowledge on Oddly Satisfying Science, joining top STEM influencers to conduct experiments.
- On stage, Katya shares her journey to space and is a sought-after speaker on representation, women’s empowerment, and diversity in STEM.
Videos
Biography
Katya Echazarreta obtained her B.S. in Electrical Engineering at UCLA where she received the prestigious Regents and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarships. She began her career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and has worked on 5 NASA missions including the Perseverance rover and Europa Clipper. She also received a full scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Katya has received two Honorary Doctorates for her humanitarian contributions to society as well as her contributions to technology. On June 4th, 2022, she became the first Mexican-born Woman in Space after being selected by Space for Humanity out of 7,000 applicants from over 120 countries for a mission to analyze the "Overview Effect".
Throughout her journey in engineering school she was very aware about the lack of women in the field. Katya feels she has been given the opportunity to help guide those girls and women who are looking for someone with experience in what they are going through. She has been actively working to provide Space related opportunities for Latin America. In April of 2023 she was able to achieve majority vote in the Mexican congress for a constitutional reform which will allow congress to begin regulating the Space Industry. She is currently working on her foundation “Fundación Espacial Katya Echazarreta” which will support individuals interested in pursuing careers in the Space Industry.
Katya has been very active in the fashion world and has been on the cover of Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and others.
Topics
The Overview Effect: Embracing a New Perspective
Kat Echazarreta became the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space after being selected by Space for Humanity for a Blue Origin mission to analyze the "Overview Effect" — the profound feeling of awe and connection that comes from seeing Earth from an outside perspective.
With vivid detail, she takes audiences beyond the confines of Earth's atmosphere to not only understand the vast expanse of space but to delve into the depths of human consciousness. In sharing her transformative journey of self-discovery and enlightenment towards the stars, Kat offers a compelling narrative that inspires audiences to embrace a new perspective on their own place in the universe and how they can impact the world. Her awe-inspiring story highlights the power of curiosity, courage, and compassion, reminding us all of the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to see the world a little differently.
