My name is Jacob Tito Varani, and I am from Iron Junction, MN. I am currently in my
final semester year of college studying for a B.S. in Natural Sciences (Biology Concentration)
with a completed Computer Science minor. I will graduate on May 9, 2025. For my career, I am greatly interested in environmental sciences, bioastronautics, and astrobiology.

I anticipate applying for graduate school in the near future in the field of biology with and am hoping 5-7 years down the road afterward to have gained a PhD in an applicable biology field and be an instrumental part in working for NASA toward the goal of deep space exploration and sustainability.

I bring a unique perspective by integrating hard work ethic, mechanical repair and shop
experience, computer troubleshooting and maintenance experience, biology laboratory
experience from my various completed courses, and a problem-solving mindset that allows me to work across multiple disciplines.

Pourquoi je suis sur Couchsurfing

I am graduating college on May 9, 2025 and have not yet been accepted for a summer job related to my field. With the anticipation of being accepted into either a graduate school or 1 year post-baccalaureate internship opportunity in the fall of 2025, I would like to take time off to travel for 1-3 months, see museums and sites, meet new people of different cultures and backgrounds, and catch up on sleep I'm been missing from being in college.

Centres d'intérêt

I have a variety of hobbies and interests and usually hae to change them up depending on the day.

Currently reading or listening to various audiobooks on space history, exploration, and technology are of interest. Learning Russian in order to read and understand more about the history of the cosmonautics and Russian space program, and culture is another.

I hope to write at least 3 space science fiction and/or space historical fiction novels when I have free time. When I have time, I try to practice my drawinf/sketching and trumpet playing.

• technology
• movies
• reading
• drawing
• music
• trumpet
• fishing
• camping
• hunting
• astronomy
• biology
• computer science
• science
• volunteering
• learning languages
• sleeping
• gaming
• science fiction
• museums
• meeting new people
• audiobooks
• space exploration
• sailboat
• history and culture
• learning russian

Morceaux de musique, films et livres

Music: I enjoy instrumental band music, jazz, video soundtracks such as Frank Klepacki's Command & Conquer ost, the Jeremy Soule's Total Annihilation ost, and some soviet/space synthwave.

Movies: top three favorite moviess are The Guns of Navarone (1961), Kelly's Heroes (1970), and Where Eagle's Dare (1968).

Books/Audiobooks: Many; these are the ones I have read/listened to in the last 8 months:
1. Failure Is Not an Option – Gene Kranz (Apollo mission flight director): Apollo flight director memoir. (2000)

2. Tough and Competent – Eugene F. Kranz (NASA flight director): Flight control mindset explained. (2009)

3. Never Panic Early – Fred Haise (Apollo 13 astronaut): Fred Haise’s overlooked Apollo tale. (2022)

4. The Last Man On the Moon – Eugene Cernan (Apollo 17 astronaut): Last Apollo astronaut on the Moon. (1999)

5. Fall of a Cosmonaut – Stuart M. Kaminsky (Fiction author, space themes): Fictional Soviet space tragedy mystery. (1991)

6. Red Moon Rising – Matthew Brzezinski (Journalist & Cold War historian): USSR vs. USA Cold War in space. (2007)

7. Fighting for Space – Amy Shira Teitel (Space historian & YouTuber): Rivalry of two female space pioneers. (2020)

8. Rise of the Rocket Girls – Nathalia Holt (Science historian): Women of NASA in early space age. (2016)

9. The New Guys – Meredith Bagby (Journalist & space historian): Post-shuttle era NASA astronauts. (2022)

10. Carrying the Fire – Michael Collins (Apollo 11 command module pilot), Charles A. Lindbergh (foreword) (Aviation pioneer): Memoir by Apollo 11’s pilot. (1974)

11. Homesteading Space – David Hitt (NASA historian), Owen Garriott (Skylab astronaut), Joe Kerwin (Skylab astronaut): Inside Skylab's historic mission. (2008)

12. Liftoff – Eric Berger (Space journalist & author): SpaceX’s early rise and struggles. (2021)

13. Shuttle, Houston – Paul Dye (NASA flight controller): NASA flight controller reflections. (2020)

14. Magnificent Desolation – Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 astronaut), Ken Abraham (Christian author & collaborator): Buzz’s personal journey post-Apollo. (2009)

15. Endurance – Scott Kelly (NASA astronaut & ISS commander): Year in space and human endurance. (2017)

16. Spaceman – Mike Massimino (NASA astronaut & TV personality): Spacewalks and space station adventures. (2016)

17. My Life As An Astronaut – Alan Bean (Apollo 12 astronaut), Beverly Fraknoi (Science educator): Astronaut story for younger readers. (1988)

18. No Dream Is Too High – Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 astronaut): Inspirational lessons from Aldrin's life. (2016)

19. Moon Shot – Alan Shepard (First American in space), Deke Slayton (Original Mercury astronaut), Jay Barbree (Veteran space journalist): Apollo-era moon race firsthand account. (1994)

20. Chasing Space – Leland Melvin (NASA astronaut & NFL player): Football player turned astronaut memoir. (2017)

21. Sharing Space – Cady Coleman (NASA astronaut & chemist): NASA life from a female astronaut. (2024)

22. Yeager – Chuck Yeager (Test pilot & aviation legend): Test pilot to legend in aviation. (1986)

23. Moonshot – Mike Massimino (NASA astronaut & Columbia professor): Astronaut life with humor and grit. (2023)

24. Mission to Mars – Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 astronaut): Buzz Aldrin's Mars colonization plan. (2013)

25. The Future of Geography – Tim Marshall (Journalist & geopolitics expert): Geopolitics shaped by space dominance. (2023)

26. Astrobiology – David C. Catling (Planetary scientist & astrobiologist): Intro to life in extreme environments. (2013)

27. Reentry – Eric Berger (Space journalist & author): How SpaceX changed NASA forever. (2022)

28. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry – Neil deGrasse Tyson (Astrophysicist & science communicator): Bite-size intro to astrophysics. (2017)

29. Apollo Pilot – Donn Eisele (Apollo 7 astronaut): Memoir of Apollo 7 astronaut. (2017)

30. An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth – Chris Hadfield (ISS commander & Canadian astronaut): Life lessons from orbit and beyond. (2013)

31. Beyond – Stephen Walker (Filmmaker & space writer): Apollo missions in global context. (2021)

32. Mission Accomplished – Marcos Pontes (First Brazilian astronaut): Brazil’s first astronaut in space. (2011)

33. When the Earth Had Two Moons – Erik Asphaug (Planetary scientist): What if Earth had two moons? (2019)

34. Outposts on the Frontier – Jay Chladek (Space historian): Space station’s historical evolution. (2017)

35. Apollo 13 – Jim Lovell (Apollo 13 astronaut), Jeffrey Kluger (Science journalist): Apollo 13 disaster and teamwork. (1994)

36. Go, Flight! – Rick Houston (Space journalist), J. Milt Heflin (NASA flight director): Shuttle mission control untold tales. (2015)

37. Fallen Astronauts – Colin Burgess (Space historian), Kate Doolan (Space historian): Cosmonauts lost in space race. (2003)

38. Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars – Eileen M. Collins (NASA shuttle commander): First U.S. female shuttle commander. (2021)

39. The Little Book of Aliens – Adam Frank (Astrophysicist & professor): Alien life and cosmic curiosity. (2023)

40. How to Astronaut – Terry Virts (NASA astronaut): Practical guide from a space veteran. (2020)

41. Eve – Cat Bohannon (Science writer & researcher): Human evolution through a female lens. (2023)

42. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Jason M. Satterfield (UCSF professor of psychology): Psych tools to rewire your thinking. (2015)

Une aventure extraordinaire que j'ai vécue

Went to the John F. Kennedy Space Center and also Space Camp and the Rocket Gardens when I was 6-8 years old. Thanks to my great father.

Enseignez, apprenez, partagez

I can teach English (my native language), basic Windows OS operation usage, and teach general biology concepts for a classroom setting. I have research experience in the sciences and can presentation information with good science communication skills.

Ce que j'aimerais partager avec mes hôtes

House cleaning, dish washing, some basic home maintenance and engine mechanic skills, yardwork, a friend to talk to, hard work and Christian-minded ethics.

Pays que j'ai visités

Philippines

Pays dans lesquels j'ai vécu

United States