On her mission to explore the mysteries of the universe and advance the future of human spaceflight, Urban Koi holds a Master’s in Space Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and is continuing on with her studies as a future Doctor of Space Medicine. Koi’s multidisciplinary roles include: Bioastronautics Researcher at the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS); Principal Investigator & Space Systems Engineer in the NASA L’SPACE program with a focus on Human Health, Life Support, & Habitation Systems; Analog Astronaut – Health & Safety Officer (HSO) at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS); Rescue Scuba Diver; Pilot-in-Training; and Award-Winning Film Director & Photographer. 

Synthesizing her passions in science, engineering, and art, Koi is the Founder + Director of SOTU STUDIO (Student of the Universe®), an experimental multimedia studio born by curiosity, cosmic discovery, and limitless dreams that produces interdisciplinary art, photography, and films. Over 12+ years in the industry, Koi propelled the missions of world-renowned titans through a dynamic lens of otherworldly visions and established a global following with 1 Million+ in reach. Koi was selected by NASA as an independent photographer to document the engineering process of space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Koi’s work is featured on NASA multimedia/social channels, award-winning publications, and her Instagram (@urbanxkoi).

Over 10+ years, Koi has also served as Co-Leader on the 100cameras Board of Creatives, a nonprofit organization recognized by the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR), UNIDIR, and UNICEF as an enrichment program that empowers youth across the world to become leaders through a robust methodology that has shown to improve emotional intelligence, well-being, and resilience through photography and storytelling. Koi is pioneering a new epoch in space exploration, where human resilience converges with technological ingenuity to illuminate the path to celestial destiny in the vast expanse of the cosmos.