Millie Hughes-Fulford was an American astronaut and scientist who made significant contributions to space exploration and biomedical research. Born on December 21, 1945, in Mineral Wells, Texas, she became the first female payload specialist for NASA. In 1991, Hughes-Fulford flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as part of the STS-40 mission, conducting experiments focused on the effects of space travel on the human immune system. Her research helped advance our understanding of how spaceflight impacts the body and contributed to the development of medical treatments for various diseases.