Erin Bonilla comes from a multi-disciplinary background with specializations in science communication, creative direction, curriculum development, and wilderness safety. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and is finishing a Master of Arts in Adventure Education, with a concentration in Spaceflight Training Administration. Her graduate research explores the space analog participant experience and evaluates transformative learning methods that may enhance that experience. Before going back to school, Erin worked at NASA Headquarters as a digital strategist, senior designer, and project manager whose work later earned her and her team a NASA “Group Achievement” award.

To better inform her research, Erin participated in various space analog activities consisting of microgravity training (scuba certification and a parabolic flight), the PoSSUM Scientist Astronaut Program (classroom instruction, mission simulations, g-force flight, hypoxia training, and pressurized spacesuit training), and is slotted for an upcoming Lunares Research Base mission in late 2019. She also studies expedition management, is a Wilderness First Responder, and in 2018 completed a 17-day Everest Base Camp trek via the Gokyo Lakes region of Nepal.

Erin advocates for the deep connection between the arts and science education through STEAM educational outreach (A for the Arts) efforts and is helping to cultivate a supportive and collaborative Analog Astronaut community.

Websites
Training Journal: MoreToExplore.life
Analog Astronaut Community: AnalogAstronaut.com

Social Media
Instagram: eboninflight
Twitter: @eboninflight
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinbonilla/