Field Notes from Earth

Episode two: Meet Ruth, a tenured associate professor of earth science, improv comedian, avid backpacker, and mom to a 7-month-old . Follow along on Ruth's journey to be a NASA astronaut. Ruth shares how a childhood fascination with the cosmos evolved into a career in planetary science, how she brings curiosity and courage into every arena of her life, and what it means to chase a lifelong dream while living fully in the present.

From fly fishing to fieldwork to the power of persistence, this episode explores what it looks like to aim for the stars — while staying grounded in who you are.