Kat Echazarreta Speaking Fee: $20,000 to $30,000
Speaking Fee:
$20,000 to $30,000
Travels From:
Available Upon Request
Travels From:
Available Upon Request
Primary Topic Category:
Science (STEM / STEAM)
Primary Topic Category:
Science (STEM / STEAM)
Secondary Topic Category:
Education
Secondary Topic Category:
Education
Kat Echazarreta Speaker Profile: At A Glance
Dr. Katya “Kat” Echazarreta, the first Mexican-born woman in space, is an electrical engineer, science communicator, and civilian astronaut. Echazarreta worked at NASA, first as an intern during her university undergraduate career, and later, with five NASA missions including Perseverance and Europa Clipper Ground Support Equipment group. She is a first-generation student who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Through honesty about the difficulties and encouragement, she hopes to be able to help women be better prepared for their experience as a woman in STEM.
Kat Echazarreta's journey began in Mexico, her birthplace, before moving to the United States at the age of eight. Adapting to her new home posed challenges, especially with the language barrier, but through perseverance, she became fluent in English in just two years. Her mother played a pivotal role in shaping her work ethic and encouraging her to pursue her passions, which have always included Space, Math, Astronomy, and Physics.
Echazarreta completed high school and then embarked on her higher education at San Diego City College, studying Electrical Engineering, a path marked by various challenges. Her determination led her to UCLA, where she earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering. During her time at UCLA, she interned at NASA JPL, a stepping stone that led to a full-time engineering position. In this role, she contributed to five significant NASA missions, including Perseverance and Europa Clipper. She is currently advancing her education, pursuing a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, and has been recognized with an Honorary Doctorate for her humanitarian and technological contributions. On June 4th, 2022, Echazarreta achieved a milestone, becoming the first Mexican-born woman in space, selected by Space for Humanity for a mission to study the "Overview Effect".
Throughout her academic and professional journey in engineering, Echazarreta was acutely aware of the gender disparity in her field. The scarcity of female role models and advisors was a significant challenge. Recognizing this gap, she is committed to mentoring girls and women who seek guidance in navigating the complexities of being a woman in STEM. Her approach is rooted in honesty about the challenges and providing encouragement to prepare them for their careers.
As an Electrical Engineer, Echazarreta has developed a deep passion for engineering education. She believes that enthusiastic instructors are crucial in developing successful engineers. Through her efforts in science and engineering communication, she aspires to bridge the gaps for students and young professionals in these fields.
