Monserrate (Monsi) Román say microbiology may not come to your mind when the name International Space Station (ISS) is mentioned: but it should. She should know. Roman, born and raised in Puerto Rico, was a member of the team which built the early stages of the ISS and designed materials that are microbe-resistant for the Station.

Román, as the lead scientist overseeing the life support unit of ISS’s early construction, was responsible for determining how viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites and other organisms would behave in space under different situations and locations aboard the Station. Working with engineers, she also ensured that humidity- and temperature-control systems aboard the Station were designed and installed to keep microbe growth in check, and that safe water and air recycling systems were instituted. The Station is situated more than 200 miles above Earth at any given time.

Román is now a project manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where she began her NASA career in 1989. She also serves a role model for other students, especially girls, who are considering pursuing careers in science.

Román has a B.A. degree in microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico, and her Master’s in the same discipline from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

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