Joseph M. Acaba a.k.a. Joe (born May 17, 1967 in Inglewood, California from Puerto Rican parents) is the first hispanic of Puerto Rican origin to be named in NASA's next group of Astronaut Candidates.
Acaba's parents, Ralph and Elise Acaba, migrated from Puerto Rico in the mid 1960's and settled in Inglewood, California. They later moved to Anaheim in the same state. Since childhood, Acaba has always enjoyed reading, especially science fiction. In school, he also excelled in both science and math. As a child, his parents would always expose him to educational films, but, it was the 8 mm film showing Astronaut Neil Armstrong's Moon landing which really intrigued him about Outer Space. In 1985, he graduated with honors from "Esperanza High School" in Anaheim.
In 1990, Acaba received his Bachelors Degree in Geology from the University of California and in 1992, he earned his Master's Degree in Geology from the University of Arizona.
Acaba was an officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He also worked as a hydrogeologist in Los Angeles, California. Acaba spent 2 years in the United States Peace Corps and trained over 300 teachers in the Dominican Republicin modern teaching methodologies. He then served as "Island Manager of the Caribbean Marine Research" at Lee Stocking Island in the Exumas, Bahamas.
Upon his return to the U.S., Acaba moved to Florida where he became "Shoreline Revegetation Coordinator" in Vero Beach. Acaba taught one year of science and math in high school and four years at the "Dunnellon Middle School".
On May 6, 2004, Acaba and 10 other people where selected among 99 applicants by NASA as astronaut candidates. NASA's adiministrator, Sean O'Keefe with the presence of John H. Glenn, announced the members of the "19th group of Astronaut Candidates", an event which hasn't been repeated since 1958 when the "Original" group of astronauts was presented to the world.
Mission Specialist-Educator Joseph "Joe" M. Acaba is currently undergoing astronaut training.
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