I was sitting in Ms. Janie Johnson’s 6th grade class watching a live broadcast of a Space Shuttle launch. After listening to the roar of the rockets, I vividly remember thinking “I want to do THAT!!!” While the desire to be an astronaut has never left me, it took 22 years for life to lead me to space exploration.... except now I am doing the research to support exploration of Mars.

In my spare time I enjoy the hiking and outdoor photography. In my quiet moments I read and crochet.

I have an avid fascination with the interconnected nature of science. None of us, no living thing, exists in a vacuum. Each of us requires so many intricate connections to land, water, and air. Take any one of those away; pollute or interrupt it, and the entire system of Earth gets sick. Studying science gives me an avenue to explore those connections.

Education:

PhD Space and Planetary Sciences - 2014

MS Geology - 2006

BS Geology - 2003

Organizations:

Boy Scouts of America

Rotary

Service to community:

Scout leader, advisor, and merit badge counselor 2007 - present

Sugar Creek Astronomical Society 2012-2016

NWA Space and Science Center 2014 - present

NASA Solar System Ambassador 2015 - present

NASA Community College Network 2022 - present

Activation Astronomy Ambassador (NASA/Seti) - 2022

In 2003 Katherine completed a Bachelor of Science in geology. In 2006 she received a Master of Science in geology by examining crater types on the martian surface. Knowing that she did not want to work in petroleum, Katherine then pursued more education. She received her PhD in Space and Planetary Science with an emphasis in martian geomorphology in 2014 by studying gullies on Mars. She published articles in Planetary and Space Science, a European journal. Katherine also contributed a chapter to a special issue published by the Geological Society of London.

Katherine works at NorthWest Arkansas Community College where she serves as Science Department Chair, Associate Professor of Astronomy and advisor for the Astronomy Club.

Katherine has served as a Solar System Ambassador with NASA since 2015. In this capacity she speaks at libraries and public schools sharing about current NASA missions.

As an Astronomy Activation Ambassador (AAA) Katherine spent a week in Hawaii during October 2022 and two days at the summit of Maunakea. She assisted with observing one night at the InfraRed Telescope Facility.

Katherine has been a member of the NASA Community College Network (NCCN) since 2022

I have had a lifetime enjoyment of astronomy, enjoy the outdoors and natural/Earth sciences.

Education:

BA Journalism Arkansas State University

Organizations:

Boy Scouts of America

Sugar Creek Astronomical Society

I worked in newspaper my entire life until I left the field in 2017. Worked in heavy steel fabrication for a year then joined Explore Scientific, a leading optic company focused on astronomy, sports optics, and STEM items.

I have loved all things space and science since I was a girl growing up in Chicago. As a teenager I wanted to be the first woman on Mars.

From my time in Chicago, I had served on the Women's Board of the Adler Planetarium, the President's Council at the Museum of Science and Industry, and on the Board (and now the Emeritus Board) of the Glessner House Museum.  I love the outdoors and spending time with my family.

I have an Aerospace Engineering Degree, with minors in Military Science and Physics, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson.  After serving in the US Air Force, I moved to New York to begin a short career in Investment Banking, then back to Chicago to focus on M&A, before moving to Arkansas to work in Corporate Development for Walmart. I was also the Head of Corporate Development at the Gap Inc.