Yvonne Cagle joined NASA as an astronaut in 1996, becoming one of six African American women to serve in that role. Her professional trajectory bridges military medical service, aerospace research, and academic leadership, as she transitioned from the cockpit support of the Magellan mission to long-term investigations into human physiology within extreme environments.
Early Education and Medical Training
Raised in West Point, New York, Cagle completed her secondary education at Novato High School in California. She earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from San Francisco State University in 1981, followed by a medical degree from the University of Washington in 1985. Her clinical training began with a transitional internship at Highland General Hospital and continued with a residency in family practice at Eastern Virginia Medical School, finished in 1992. She further specialized in 1988 by obtaining a certificate in Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base.
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Commissioned as a medical officer, Cagle served with the 48th Tactical Hospital in the United Kingdom. In May 1989, she acted as a medical liaison for the STS-30 mission involving the Magellan spacecraft. She later worked at NASA's Occupational Health Clinic before being selected for the astronaut program. In 2008, she retired from the U.S. Air Force at the rank of colonel. Although she never completed a flight mission, she held numerous technical advisory positions, including serving as chief scientist for the Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research program.
Academic and Institutional Roles
Beyond her flight-related duties, Cagle has maintained an extensive academic profile. She served as a visiting professor at Fordham University and held faculty positions at Singularity University. Her research interests span health, environment, and human performance. She currently serves as a lead science liaison for Stanford University, managing relationships with technology partners such as Google. In 2013, she participated in the Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation study to evaluate nutritional strategies for long-duration space missions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, West Point, New York
- Education: San Francisco State University, University of Washington
- NASA Selection: Astronaut Class of 1996
- Military Rank: Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
- Professional Credentials: Physician, Senior Aviation Medical Examiner
- Academic Honors: Honorary Ph.D., Fordham University
Questions readers ask
Did Yvonne Cagle fly in space?
No, she did not fly on a space mission during her time as a NASA astronaut.
What is Cagle's current role at NASA?
As of January 2021, she is assigned to the Ames Research Center as a NASA Management Astronaut.
Achievements
- Recorded as astronaut and physician
