Sharmila Bhattacharya is the Program Director of Space Biology at NASA Headquarters. If you want to learn more about space biologists, check out this old Sci & Tell episode with Rafael Loureiro, a self-proclaimed “space botanist.”

If Sharmila Bhattacharya wasn’t a scientist, she would’ve wanted to work in theatre- maybe she would’ve been telling science fiction stories! If you’re curious about the intersection of science and storytelling, check out this Third Pod episode with Star Trek Discovery actor Anthony Rapp, where he discusses how one portrays science on screen.

Sharmila Bhattacharya may be a scientist, but she also has a passion for writing and literature. Who says you can’t have both? Check out this Eos article about Ilima Loomis’s picture book Eclipse Chasers, where she explains solar physics to young audiences.

Sharmila Bhattacharya says her job @NASA is to figure out how to keep humans safe in space. Scientists are studying caves on Earth to help with future cave exploration on other planets. Read more in this Eos article.

Sharmila Bhattacharya’s greatest achievement is raising her kid. It’s hard to do research and parent simultaneously, especially during a pandemic. Here are some thoughts in Eos on finding balance:

Sharmila Bhattacharya talks about the importance of funding science in her Sci & Tell episode. To see how much of an impact funding makes on science projects, just look at Africa’s Great Green Wall.

Sharmila Bhattacharya is able to combine her love for science and the humanities in her job @NASA. The band Amoeba People similarly combines their passions to make “nerdy science music.”