Zena Cardman was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. She reported for duty in August 2017 and having completed the initial astronaut candidate training is now eligible for a mission assignment. The Virginia native holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology, and a Master’s of Science in Marine Sciences from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her research focused primarily on microorganisms in subsurface environments, ranging from caves to deep sea sediments. Cardman’s experience includes multiple Antarctic expeditions.