HOW YOU SWAN #2 : Meet Dr. Jessica D’Urbano

We launched HOW YOU SWAN to tell the stories behind the missions — the bold, human stories of women reshaping the space sector with purpose, resilience, and care.

Every edition, we spotlight one of our incredible members to show how they SWAN: how they navigate their careers, advocate for others, and turn barriers into breakthroughs.

Today, we’re honored to introduce a woman who brings heart, humanity, and healing to the space field.

🩺 Jessica D’Urbano

M.D. Occupational Medicine Resident and Space Medicine Researcher

University of Trieste, Italy & ASRI – Advanced SpaceLife Research Institute, Cape Canaveral (FL)

🌟 Her elevator pitch:

“My favourite hobby? Taking care of people before they get sick — physically, mentally, and emotionally. By supporting others, I grow and learn from their experiences. This continuous journey makes me a better woman, mother, and doctor. True care is about holistic prevention and connection.”

Jessica isn’t just charting a path in space medicine — she’s redefining what care looks like in high-stakes, high-tech environments. Her work bridges science and humanity, prevention and compassion.

💡 What would she do with $1 million to advance equity in space?

“Scholarships and Fellowships for underrepresented groups. Mentorship and Internship programs. Community outreach and education initiatives. Diversity and Inclusion training in every space-related field.”

Her vision is one of deep systems change, combining opportunity, access, and education to build a more inclusive future for space medicine — and beyond.

💬 Her advice to fellow colleagues?

“Never give up even if the project may seem insurmountable. One step a day and you will have climbed a mountain in a few weeks. In all this, don’t forget to hug those you love and rest.”

For Jessica, progress isn’t just about ambition — it’s about consistency, compassion, and balance. Her words remind us that high performance and deep care can — and should — go hand in hand.

🚀 Her story as a woman in a male-dominated field:

“During my last year of college, a professor told me that having a daughter during my studies was not a smart choice. This comment inspired compassion for others instead of anger, and at the same time encouraged me to keep up to date with scientific literature while my daughter does her homework. Together we can achieve our goals.”

This story captures Jessica’s quiet strength. She meets bias not with bitterness, but with determination, grace — and solidarity. Her experience is a powerful reminder: the path is harder for some, but community and purpose make it possible.

At SWAN, we’re proud to celebrate Jessica as our second HOW YOU SWAN spotlight. She shows us that leadership is also care. That boldness can be gentle. And that making space for others — literally and metaphorically — is the future we’re building together.

📢 Want to be featured in a future edition? Fill out this short form — and let’s show the world how you SWAN.