Biologist. She earned a place in history as the first woman payload specialist (non astronaut) for a NASA flight in space (1991). Born Millie Elisabeth Hughes, she was a child prodigy and began a fascination for space travel after seeing an episode of "Buck Rogers" when she was a little girl. She enrolled at Tarleton State University at the age of sixteen and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Biology in 1968. She went on to study Plasma Chemistry and received her doctorate from Texas Women's University. She joined the faculty at Southwestern Medical School at the University of Texas and would go on to specialize in molecular structure biology and various forms of cancer. She served with the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps from 1981 until 1995 attaining the rank of major. In 1983, she began her training for NASA and on June 5, 1991, she made history as a member of the STS-40 crew. During her mission, she oversaw roughly 18 experiments aboard Space Life Sciences 1 and totaled 9 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes and 2 seconds in space. This experienced earned her a NASA Space Flight Medal. She was a researcher at San Francisco's VA Medical Center.
Biologist. She earned a place in history as the first woman payload specialist (non astronaut) for a NASA flight in space (1991). Born Millie Elisabeth Hughes, she was a child prodigy and began a fascination for space travel after seeing an episode of "Buck Rogers" when she was a little girl. She enrolled at Tarleton State University at the age of sixteen and earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Biology in 1968. She went on to study Plasma Chemistry and received her doctorate from Texas Women's University. She joined the faculty at Southwestern Medical School at the University of Texas and would go on to specialize in molecular structure biology and various forms of cancer. She served with the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps from 1981 until 1995 attaining the rank of major. In 1983, she began her training for NASA and on June 5, 1991, she made history as a member of the STS-40 crew. During her mission, she oversaw roughly 18 experiments aboard Space Life Sciences 1 and totaled 9 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes and 2 seconds in space. This experienced earned her a NASA Space Flight Medal. She was a researcher at San Francisco's VA Medical Center.
Bio by: C.S.
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