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, scientist, engineer, photographer, and musician to help inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) careers. Leland holds four honorary doctorates for his service in education, the sciences and philanthropy. He was chosen as an ICON MANN with Quincy Jones, Forrest Whitaker, Steve Harvey and 24 other men selected for their ability to inspire people of all ages through their vision and commitment to creating positive change throughout the world. Leland has been honored with the NFL Players Association "Award of Excellence" for inspiring athletes to pursue excellence on and off the field. He has written a chapter on the power of visualization in Venus Williams' book Come to Win. Leland has appeared on Top Chef as a celebrity judge and Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmerman, while Cesar Milan helped him with his unruly pooch Jake on an episode of The Dog Whisperer. He was featured in a SyFy Channel program documenting the making of the "Reach for the Stars" will.i.am song, which was transmitted to Mars and back to inspire students to pursue STEAM.