Leroy Chiao has extensive experience as a NASA Astronaut and prior to that, as a Research Engineer.
Dr. Chiao studied Chemical Engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1983. He continued his studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, earning his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 1985 and 1987. He is involved in entrepreneurial business ventures in both the US and China and is the Executive Vice President of Space Operations and a Director of Excalibur Almaz Limited, a private manned spaceflight company.
Leroy is also the first Raborn Distinguished Chair Max Faget Mechanical Engineering Professor at Louisiana State University. Active as a consultant and public speaker, he also serves as the Chairman of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute User Panel, which is attached to the Baylor College of Medicine.
Leroy is currently co-chair with Keith Cowing of "Risk and Exploration: Earth As A Classroom", an event focusing on all facets of exploration to be held at Louisiana State University in October 2007.
Dr. Chiao left NASA in December, 2005 following a fifteen-year career with the agency. A veteran of four space missions, Dr. Chiao most recently served as Commander and NASA Science Officer of Expedition 10 aboard the International Space Station. He has logged over 229 days in space - over 36 hours of which were spent in Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA, or spacewalks).
Additional information on Leroy Chiao
Shooting for the Heart: Astronaut Finds Passion for Photography in Space
