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Bio

Background

 

Debbie grew up in Pasadena, Texas as the only daughter of Mexican American parents. Growing up she never imagined she would be able to go to college much less earn three degrees. She started working at NASA/JSC as a secretary while going to school to get her degrees. Despite family life (she has two daughters) and the uncertainty of what was ahead, she persevered and worked her way up to an International Space Flight Training Manager position.

She is currently an active member of the NASA Alumni League serving as the chair of the Education Committee.

 

She played volleyball in junior high and continues to play volleyball with the USA Volleyball association. She also enjoys photography and scrapbooking.

30 years of Federal Service

 

1985-2014/NASA - Johnson Space Center

2007-2014 : Training Lead to Astronaut Candidate Working Group

2001-2013 : Training Specialist of the Astronaut Office

1999-2000 : Training Manager for Expedition 1

                                of the International Space Station 

1998-1999 : NASA Training Coordinator, Star City, Russia

1993-1998 : Space Flight Training Instructor

1989-1993 : Computer Assistant

1985-1989 : Secretary

 

1984-1989 - Texas Air National Guard, Staff Sergeant

Education

 

Masters of Business Administration (1997) and

Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (1993)

    from University of Houston - Clear Lake

 

Associate of Arts in Computer Science (1992)

    from San Jacinto College, Houston, Texas

Public Speaker

 

As a member of the NASA JSC Speaker Bureau and Hispanic Employee Resources Group, Debbie has represented NASA at many community and educational outreach events across the U.S. She has participated in NASA presentations in New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, Phoenix, Louisiana and all throughout Texas. 

 

As a member of the elite Mission Operations Directorate at NASA for 20 years, Debbie has been asked to speak to companies such as AIG and Comcast regarding teamwork and motivation.

 

She has also presented educational and motivational speeches to students of all ages.

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