Leland Melvin

Leland Melvin was born in Lynchburg, Virginia to Deems and Grace Melvin. He graduated from Heritage High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry from the University of Richmond and a Master of Science Degree in Materials Science Engineering from the University of Virginia. Leland is a television host and two time flown space shuttle astronaut. He is the host of Child Genius and has appeared on Top Chef, and the Dog Whisperer. Before becoming an astronaut Leland was drafted into the NFL by the Detroit Lions. After hanging up his space boots he was appointed head of NASA Education and served as the co-chair on the White House's Federal Coordination in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Task Force developing the nation's 5-year STEM education plan. Leland was the United States representative and chair of the International Space Education Board (ISEB), a global collaboration in space. He uses his life story as an athlete, astronaut, sc