NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Nashville-based astronaut and doctor reconnected with his alma mater Wednesday morning after traveling to space.
Dr. Eiman Jahangir previously attended Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School and was selected to travel to space on a Blue Origin flight in August.
He was reportedly selected because of his passion for space exploration. However, his full-time job is in cardiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Jahangir said he hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders by discussing goal-setting and personal growth.
“When I grew up, there was never anyone from the school who had gone to space,” he said. “So, hopefully being that it’s a STEM magnet, we can invigorate and excite the kids to also follow that path.”
Educators at MLK High School said it’s an opportunity for students to learn from someone who has pushed boundaries in both the medical field and space travel.
“Hopefully these kids will get that exposure today of how you can make big dreams happen,” said Jahangir. “It does require leadership, growth and perseverance.”