Amelie Schoenenwald

Dr. Amelie Schoenenwald is a member of the ESA Astronaut Class of 2022, selected from over 23,000 applicants across Europe. In 2024, she began the first of three ESA Astronaut Reserve Training Sessions, preparing her for a potential mission to space. 

Amelie studied Biotechnology and Biochemistry at the Technical University Munich and earned a PhD in Integrative Structural Biology after research stays in Austria, Israel, Singapore, and the United States. She also completed an MIT Bootcamp in Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and earned a European MBA with a focus on business leadership.Certified in traditional and agile project management, Amelie has worked across the biotech start-up scene and the healthcare industry. She currently holds a position in the strategy department of a major pharmaceutical company in Munich, Germany. Alongside her full-time role, she lectures, gives keynotes, and is involved in STE(A)M outreach.Beyond her professional pursuits, Amelie is passionate about sports and exploration. She has participated in a range of expeditions, from jungle treks to Arctic man-hauling all the way to speleological explorations. She also enjoys mountaineering, motorcycling, and scuba diving, and occasionally plays one of her stringed instruments.In 2022, she was elected president of the MBA alumni association, where she fosters community, strengthens professional networks, and supports alumni development. She looks forward to building on these experiences in her new role as a Karman Fellow, contributing to the global community with a spirit of connection, service, and growth.