Jerusha is a brilliant young astronomer who earned her Ph.D. in astronomy at age 21 and is now an astronaut-in-training with NASA. She loves the night sky, and she shares her enthusiasm for astronomy and literature by writing, both in poetry and prose. Jerusha is also an accomplished poet and playwright, and her favorite saying is, "Ad astra per aspera!" = "To the stars through striving!" Jerusha loves to encourage young people in their pursuit of lofty goals in STEM careers!