Imelda Muller, a 2017 graduate of the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine, has been chosen as one of NASA's ten new astronaut candidates from a pool of 8,000 applicants. This remarkable achievement highlights Muller's unique journey from undersea medicine to the vast expanse of space.
Announced at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Muller, an anesthesiologist, expressed her excitement about the future of space exploration and its potential impact on medicine. "With upcoming exploration missions, we are pushing the boundaries of human performance," she stated. "The lessons we learn, the knowledge we gain, will help us excel not just in space but also in human health here on Earth."
Muller's background is as compelling as her ambition. After graduating from UVM, she served as an undersea medical officer, completing training at the Naval Undersea Medical Institute in Connecticut. Her experience at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego further solidified her expertise, leading her to pursue a residency in anesthesia and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. This unique experience provided invaluable insight into the body's adaptation to extreme environments, a skillset directly applicable to space travel. "Working with multidisciplinary teams in experimental and saturation diving developed my passion for understanding how the body adapts," Muller explained. "Anesthesia deepened that understanding, and I'm thrilled to build on that foundation."
Before her medical career, Muller earned an undergraduate degree in behavioral neuroscience at Northeastern University. Now, at only 34, she's among the youngest of the ten selected astronaut candidates, one of only two with a medical background. This accomplishment is a testament to her unwavering dedication and exceptional skills.
Over the next two years, Muller will undergo rigorous training, including spacewalk simulations and survival training, preparing her for future space missions. UVM President Marlene Tromp celebrated Muller's selection, noting the university's pride in its alumna and the strong connection between UVM and NASA through the Vermont Space Grant Consortium. This partnership provides opportunities for students interested in STEM fields to collaborate with NASA, reflecting UVM's commitment to fostering future scientific leaders.
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Originally published at: https://vtdigger.org/2025/09/23/from-deep-seas-to-far-space-uvm-medical-school-alumna-chosen-as-one-of-nasas-next-astronauts/
