Deniz Burnham
Deniz Burnham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Deniz Melissa Burnham October 1, 1985 [1] |
| Status | Candidate |
| Alma mater | University of California, San Diego University of Southern California |
| Space career | |
| NASA Astronaut | |
| Rank | Lieutenant, USNR |
| Selection | NASA Group 23 |
Deniz Melissa Burnham (born October 1, 1985) is a lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve and NASA astronaut candidate.[2]
Early life and education[]
Deniz Burnham was born at Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey to parents Ed and Şahver Burnham. She relocated various times throughout her childhood due to her military family.[3] Her Turkish mother had aspired to be a military officer, but women were not allowed to in Turkey at the time. She later joined the United States Air Force.[4]
Eventually, Burnham moved to Fairfield, California, graduating from Vanden High School. In 2007, Burnham graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. In 2017, she graduated from the University of Southern California with a master's degree in mechanical engineering. During her time in graduate school, Burnham served as an intern at the NASA Ames Research Center.
Career[]
For over a decade, Burnham has led offshore oil drilling operations in various locations across the United States and Canada. Burnham currently serves in the United States Navy Reserve as the executive officer of a shipyard operations unit in Alameda, California.[3]
Astronaut candidacy[]
On December 6, 2021, Burnham was revealed to be one of ten candidates selected as part NASA Astronaut Group 23.
Personal life[]
Burnham currently lives in Wasilla, Alaska with her fiancé Shaun Little. Burnham holds a private pilot license, as well as helicopter and instrument ratings.[3]
References[]
- ^ https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-born-woman-among-nasa-astronaut-candidates-3585741
- ^ Margetta, Robert (December 6, 2021). "NASA Selects New Astronaut Recruits to Train for Future Missions". NASA.
- ^ a b c "NASA Astronaut Candidate Deniz Burnham". NASA. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ Speck, Emilee (December 6, 2021). "Drilling engineer, SpaceX doctor among NASA's new astronaut candidates". Fox Weather.
- Astronaut candidates
- University of Southern California alumni
- University of California, San Diego alumni
- Living people
- 1985 births
- American people of Turkish descent
- People from Adana
- People from Fairfield, California
- People from Wasilla, Alaska