NASA Planetary Mission Research Scientist , Dr. Keiko Nakamura- Messenger Speaks to HASSE Students

Dr. Keiko Nakamura- Messenger is a space scientist at the NASA Johnson Space Center.
She has extensive experience and is an expert in characterization of extraterrestrial materials especially in the analysis of samples at the nano level.

HASSE students had the wonderful opportunity to interact with Dr. Keiko Nakamura,
a space scientist who pioneered the existence of ancient organic globules in meteorites,
and an individual whose name was inspired to
be given to Asteroid 7862 Keionakamura for the continuous understanding of organic materials in our ancient solar system.

Dr. Keiko Messenger is an accomplished space scientist with a Ph. D in material science from Kobe University in Japan
and an expert with experience in characterization and analysis of extraterrestrial materials.
She currently operates as lead for the Sample Site Science Working Group
and NASA’s deputy curation lead for asteroid sample return mission OSIRIS,
and was also a member of sample curator for JAXA’s asteroid sample return mission of Hayabusa 2.
She received numerous awards, among all,
was the NASA Exceptional Science Achievement Individual medal for two new mineral discoveries
from extraterrestrial sources, Brownleeite (MnSi) and Wassonit (Tis).
Dr. Keiko Messenger encouraged HASSE students to work hard,
stay focused and be passionate about the subjects they are working on, and also to seek for opportunities,
because they can be everywhere!