Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger received her Bachelor of Arts in Geology from Whitman College and Teaching Certification from Central Washington University. She taught high school earth science and astronomy, as well as coached cross-country and Science Olympiad. Dottie completed undergraduate research with the KECK Consortium for two summers: 1995 in Wyoming mapping the last glaciations of Russell Creek, and 1996 mapping and determining the petrology of the rocks in the Wet Mountain region of Colorado. Dottie was selected as an astronaut in May 2004. In 2010 she was a mission specialist on the crew of STS-131 and has logged over 362 hours in space.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)