I am 26, a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley Physics department. I conduct research in the Space Physics group which designs, builds, and operates detectors for various NASA small sounding rockets, satellites, and exploratory missions. To date I have constructed an auroral physics rocket payload, built and tested an instrument for a small-class explorer satellite, taken part in payload integration and operations activities, and published a few papers. My Ph.D. is probably about 2 years away. The program is roughly 1/3 science, 1/3 engineering, and 1/3 project management/deployment.

I obtained my undergraduate degrees at Berkeley as well, a B.A. in physics and one in astronomy. Throughout my undergraduate career I worked in the radiation biophysics division of Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, designing and building a small experiment for a ride on the space shuttle's Get-Away- Special program (affectionately called GAS cans) which contain experiments in the cargo bay. The experiment flew in June 1991 aboard STS-40, along with Tammy Jernigan, a UCB Alumni (I saw the launch! Goddamn incredible). The experiment examined the effect of cosmic and trapped radiation on the DNA structure of radiation-sensitive micro-organisms.

My other activities include Karate (currently a black belt in the All-Japan Karate-Do Association), pumping iron and running in the Berkeley Hills. I am also becoming a certified scientific research scuba diver through the UC Berkeley program (a GREAT program for those of you in the Bay Area and who have roughly 2500 bucks to blow...). Flying is next of course, probably this summer after my diving obligations have settled down.

Needless to say, like most of you I am an enthusiastic astronaut hopeful. I haven't applied yet but I will when I'm closer to my Ph.D. This group is great! I had no idea so much detailed info was on the net; hats off to the folks who've created it and thanks to everyone for their informative contributions. I hope I can contribute as much myself at some point.

Best of luck,

Greg Delory Graduate Student Researcher Silver Space Sciences Laboratory Berkeley, CA 94720