Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s “Evolved Man of the Week” profile. Each week we will highlight an individual that embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous individual alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the former Navy Seal, Harvard-educated doctor, and NASA Astronaut, Dr. Jonny Kim.
Dr. Kim will be one of the first Korean-Americans to journey to space as a NASA astronaut on behalf of the United States of America. His parents and family probably brag about him 24/7! Kim is a first-generation Korean American, born in Los Angeles to parents who immigrated to the United States from South Korea in search of a better future for their children.
In 2020, Dr. Kim was among 13 men and women to graduate from the space agency’s Artemis program, making him eligible for missions to the International Space Station, the moon, and, ultimately, Mars. Even on a stage of people brimming with talent, he stood out.
He is still on active duty as a lieutenant stationed with NASA. His training with the space agency took two years. He can now add International Space Station systems, Extravehicular Activities (EVA) Operations, T-38 flight training, robotics, physiological training, expeditionary training, field geology, water and wilderness survival training, and Russian language proficiency to his list of accomplishments.
He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17-years-old. Eventually, he sought a commission from the Navy’s Seaman to Admiral-21 program after earning a degree in mathematics from the University of San Diego. From there, he attended Harvard Medical School, graduating in 2016.
When he was selected for NASA’s Artemis program, he was a resident physician in emergency medicine with Partners Healthcare at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Today, Kim is married with three kids, ages 4 to 10. His dream for them is to just be happy. Here is Dr. Kim, in his own words, about finding yourself and gaining confidence.
“I needed to find myself and my identity,”…”And for me, getting out of my comfort zone, getting away from the people I grew up with, and finding adventure, that was my odyssey, and it was the best decision I ever made.”
From one Navy veteran to another, we at the Evolving Man Project wish Dr. Kim continued success. and safe travels to space. Today we honored Dr. Jonny Kim as our Evolved Man of the Week.
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