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(New York) – Science Channel announced today the crowning of Leland Melvin and Kristen Leroy as honorees of the network’s monthly Science Super Heroes initiative. The honorees are recognized for furthering science in their respective communities and encouraging the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.

Science Super Heroes will be nominated monthly from any of the following categories: Super Star (CEO or professional), Shooting Star (super fan), and Rising Star (college student). Each Science Super Hero will be highlighted on-air on Science Channel the first Thursday of the month and across all Science Channel social platforms for the entire month. Shooting Stars and Rising Stars will receive a $2,000.00 gift card to Global Giving where they can donate to a charity of choice. Super Stars will work with Science Channel representatives to mentor and foster science-minded youth in their community.

Kristen LeRoy is the Program Manager of the Artificial Lung Program at Lung Biotechnology PBC, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Therapeutics Inc.  Ms LeRoy’s operational experience has focused on execution of animal and pre-clinical human subject trials evaluating medical device technologies in preparation for FDA discussions regarding approval pathways. Her prior leadership positions include Director of R&D Operations at Vivonics, Inc. from 2012-2016, Group Leader of Biomedical Devices at Infoscitex Corporation from 2005-2012, and Staff Engineer at Foster-Miller, Inc. in 2002. Ms LeRoy's career in early stage, government funded Research and Development efforts lead to five issued patents in various biomedical engineering technologies, including the Artificial Lung technology through which she earned her current position.  

Leland Melvin was 25 feet under water in a 6 Million gallon pool training to perform space walks as an American Astronaut when he called the test director and asked him to turn the volume up in his headset. He never heard a reply and was immediately hoisted out of the pool to learn that he was totally deaf. Emergency surgery and partial recovery led him to being medically disqualified by NASA flight surgeons to fly in space, ever. However, Leland’s story is one of perseverance – he eventually traveled off-planet on two Space Shuttle Missions to help build the International Space Station. Before becoming an astronaut Leland was selected in the 1986 College draft to play professional football with the Detroit Lions but a hamstring injury thwarted his NFL career at both Detroit and then as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. Leland is the only person to catch a pass in the National Football League and in space. The Pro Football Hall of Fame thought it appropriate to place his Detroit Lions jersey under glass in Canton, Ohio honoring his athletic and academic pursuits. Leland has degrees in Chemistry and Materials Science Engineering and worked at NASA Langley Research Center creating 1000’s of optical fiber sensors for measuring damage in aerospace vehicles. After hanging up his space boots his mission, as Head of NASA Education, was to use his life story as an athlete, astronaut, scientist, engineer, musician and now educator to help inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue Science Technology Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) careers. Leland holds five honorary doctorates for his service in education, the sciences and philanthropy. Leland was chosen as an ICON MANN with Quincy Jones, Forrest Whitaker, Steve Harvey and 24 other men selected who inspire many different generations with their vision, ability, commitment and success in creating positive changes throughout the world. He has been honored by the NFL Players Association Award of Excellence and has published many technical articles on nondestructive evaluation and sensor research. Leland has written his memoir, "Chasing Space An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second Chances" along with a Young Readers Edition  with S.T.E.A.M. activities in the back. Leland hosted two seasons of Lifetime Television's competition series "Child Genius" and was a judge for two seasons on ABC Television's "BattleBots".  He appeared on Top Chef as a celebrity judge, while Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer, helped him with his unruly pooch Jake.  He was featured in the documentary showing the making and transmission of "Reach for the Stars" will.i.am’s song which traveled to Mars and back done to inspire students to pursue S.T.E.A.M. After 24 years with NASA as a researcher, astronaut and Senior Executive Service (SES) leader he looks to share his stories of perseverance, dedication and excellence to inspire.

About Science Channel

Science Channel, a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the home of all things science around the clock, including series such as THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN, OUTRAGEOUS ACTS OF SCIENCE, WHAT ON EARTH?,  HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS, UNEARTHED, and HOW IT’S MADE. Science Channel’s programming also includes daily news updates with SCIENCE PRESENTS DNEWS and timely, expert-driven specials covering breaking science news and discoveries. Science Channel is the premiere TV, digital and social community for those with a passion for science, space, technology, archeology, and engineering, providing immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment across all Science Channel assets including: Science Channel television network, available in more than 72 million homes in the U.S; complimentary Video On Demand offering; SCI Go app allowing viewers to catch up on full episodes of their favorite shows anytime; deep video, interactive storytelling and virtual reality at www.sciencechannel.com; and conversations on Science Channel’s popular social platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat via @ScienceChannel.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.