Camille Alleyne a Trinidadian Astronaut on two missions
POSTED ON JULY 7, 2012 BY JOHNNY RINGO IN EDUCATION & YOUTH, PERSONALITIES
Gyaneseonline
Camille Alleyne is from Trinidad and Tobago and an Aerospace Engineer who has worked and managed various space projects at NASA and the Department of Defense, for the last 16 years.
She is currently the Assistant Program Scientist for the International Space Station (ISS) and focuses her skills and knowledge on developing innovative strategies for communicating the benefits and value of the ISS. She is also responsible for integrating all of the ISS education projects and activities, globally.
Camille holds a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Camille’s love for outer space began a very tender age. She reminisces on her curiosity for outer space by telling that from the age of 7 she would sit on the trunk of her father’s car at nights, star gazing and engaging in the wonder of space.
She was fascinated by the vastness and the awe-inspiring nature of space. Little did she know that those moments were shaping the trajectory of her life. The love and nurturing by her parents encouraged her pursue her natural instincts of becoming an Aerospace Engineer. She was always building and fixing things, solving problems, and solving complex problems.
Camille’s innate curiosity her supportive family laid a solid foundation for her success. She was still in college, studying aeronautical engineering, when the tragic accident of the Challenger Space Shuttle happened. It was then that she finally decided that NASA was where she wanted to spend her as an astronaut. Twenty six years later she is continuing to live her dreams and contributing to the advancement of space exploration and making a significant difference in the lives of all human beings through the efforts of space exploration.
In 2007 Camille founded a non-profit organization called the Brightest Stars Foundation, and is dedicated to the education and empowerment of young women and girls around the world to be future leaders through the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Brightest Stars Foundation has inspired and empowered many girls and young women to aspire to pursue careers in STEM. The Foundation has be working earnestly to realize its vision of establishing the Space and Science Academy for Girls in Kenya which will be the first of a global network of specialty high schools to educate girls in scientific and technological fields.
Camille states, “My intention with my humanitarian work is to give voice to the voiceless young girls around the world through the gift of a quality, challenging education.”
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