Abigail (Abby) Harrison is a MSc student at Queen’s University studying Arctic region biogeochemistry as a member of the Facility for Biogeochemical Research on Environmental Change and the Cryosphere (FaBRECC) lab. Her MSc thesis work focuses on remobilization of legacy arsenic pollution through snowmelt runoff in a heavily mining-impacted region in Canada's subarctic. Previously she has conducted immunology/neuroscience research at Harvard Medical School, astrobiology research at the Space Life Sciences Labs, machine learning research at Wellesley College, and limnology research at Lake Baikal in Siberia. Abby holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Wellesley College. Abby has had a passion for space exploration her entire life and is working towards becoming a NASA astronaut. At 15 years old, Abby served as the Earth Liaison for European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, helping to share his experiences living and working in space with those on Earth. She then went on to found and lead The Mars Generation non-profit for 8 years. Under her leadership, this organization reached tens of millions of people with digital science content, engaged more than 3,000 students in a leadership development program, secured hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide hands-on STEM experiences for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and aided teachers around the world in developing and delivering space and science curriculum in grade school classrooms. In 2019, Abby was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her innovative work with The Mars Generation. Abby is the author of the book Dream Big: How to Reach for Your Stars, published in 2019 by Penguin Random House, which guides young people in developing the skills necessary to achieve their dreams. Abby is a prolific public speaker and staunch advocate for the future of space exploration and STEM education. She has delivered hundreds of presentations on these subjects, ranging from grade school audiences to the US House of Representatives. In 2024, Abby received the prestigious commercial space industry Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship, through which she will be working as an aerospace engineering intern at Voyager Space this summer. Abby currently serves as the Chief Steward of the Union Local PSAC901 representing graduate student workers and postdoctoral scholars at Queen’s University, as well as the Health and Safety Representative of the Queen’s University GPHY Graduate Student Council.

Abby has trained as a private pilot, Rescue SCUBA Diver, and Emergency Medical Technician and is always searching for her next adventure. In her spare time, Abby makes informative digital science content which she shares with her more than 1 million followers on social media. Abby is passionate about increasing the visibility of female role models in STEM to inspire and support the next generation.