Update on my new role at work

I am slowly transitioning over to the ISS Directorate to work as the Associate ISS Program Scientist (ISS = International Space Station). Things should be full time by Feb 17. In the meantime, I am still at my old desk, just wrapping up some current projects with my team before I'm officially gone. Yesterday I had a meeting with the team to announce my leaving, and to try to answer questions regarding the stability of HRF when I am gone (that's the Human Research Facility project that I've been leading for the last 15 months or so...at least the engineering component). It was tough to announce my departure, since HRF has been unstable for the last year or so when the Engineering Directorate announced its intentions to de-prioritize biomedical hardware development in favor of developing the new launch vehicle that will replace the space shuttle...I am not exactly thrilled about adding more instability to the team's daily activities of simply trying to get flight hardware out the door. The good news is, no one could blame me for taking the new position, and their team lead was upbeat and optimistic. In fact, even though there's no official replacement for me yet, there is some talk on the street and if it works out, it will be in their favor. So I am keeping my fingers crossed...especially since Engineering will lose their current HRF lead my Feb 17! Someone will have to assume the position!!

Anyway, this morning I met with my new team at my new role to discuss JR's upcoming press release regarding Expedition 19/20 science activities. It was a brainstorming session on how to get the best bang for our 15 minutes of air time. It was actually a really cool meeting. Super interesting...I'm already learning tons. JR has also put my name into the Media 101 training class so I know how to "work the cameras ;) " It's the same class the astronauts take. I'm sitting here the whole time like :"FOR REAL?!"

I am glad I am in the process of fixing my front tooth. It broke when I was in middle school and has been off-colored since. It's fake. I should have the new improved tooth in by Feb 23. Yeah, baby. Now I can REALLY work the cameras!

The new team is also super cool and down to Earth. I haven't had much exposure to the new position, but I feel comfortable...like this stuff might be natural to me.

Although I do still find it truly surreal and a tad bit depressing when I take a second to realize that the JSC Engineering world is no longer my home. I will be in 4S and they are in building 36. And I won't be on their roster.