Dr. José M. Hernández is a Mexican-American former NASA astronaut, engineer, and motivational speaker known for his inspiring journey from migrant farm worker to space traveler, documented in the film A Million Miles Away; he co-developed digital mammography tech, flew on STS-128, founded Tierra Luna Engineering, and serves as a UC Regent, inspiring STEM education for underserved kids. 

Former NASA astronaut Dr. José M. Hernández, one of the first Latino astronauts to travel to space, delivered an inspiring session dedicated to the Newton Group of Schools on 8 December at the QNL Auditorium. Students from NIA–Barwa and NIA–Lusail had the opportunity to attend and hear Dr. Hernández share his remarkable life journey, insights from NASA missions, and the importance of perseverance in STEM fields. Our students thoroughly enjoyed this engaging and enriching workshop at Qatar National Library, which sparked curiosity, motivation, and excitement among all learners.