Reserve Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) Lt. Deniz Burnham is one of 10 astronaut candidates selected in December to train for NASA space missions.
Burnham, from Wasilla, Alaska, who was selected from a list of more than 12,000 applicants, is a former intern at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley.
The journey for applying and being selected as a NASA Astronaut Candidate is the culmination of a lifetime of effort. As an engineer on an oil rig, Burnham gained experience in operational environments where she gained problem-solving skills working with complicated systems as well as teamwork and adaptability in dynamic settings. She also has a private pilot license with fixed wing, helicopter, and instrument ratings. Burnham earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemical Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, and a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California. In 2017, Burnham was direct commissioned as an EDO and was assigned to Naval Sea Systems Command’s SurgeMain Alameda (Surge Maintenance unit in Alameda, California), a program which supports aircraft carrier and submarine maintenance at the Navy’s four public shipyards
As an EDO in the Navy Reserves, the qualification consists of training to impart technical and operational knowledge needed to be an EDO: the Navy Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course; Officer Development School; the Seamanship/Land Indoctrination Course; Shipboard Systems Engineering, an Industrial Tour at a shipyard, At-Sea, EDO Basic, and then finally the EDO qualification board. Burnham credits the discipline, teamwork, dynamic leadership and followership that is practiced in the EDO community that will prepare her to quickly become a value adding team member at NASA.
“I strongly believe in NASA’s mission and was absolutely thrilled and honored to get the call that I had been selected as an astronaut candidate, says Lt. Burnham. “Becoming a NASA astronaut has always been a childhood dream of mine.” Burnham will be reporting to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on Jan. 10 to begin two years of training. There are five major training categories: training for spacewalks, robotics skills, ISS systems training, learning Russian language skills, and T-38 jet training.
Burnham looks forward to the opportunity to explore and collaborate with a tremendously skilled and motivated team at NASA, pushing new technologies that can improve life on earth as well as inspiring people from all walks of life to pursue their passions.
Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.
Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.
Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.
Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.
Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.
Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.
Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.