Kathryn Bywaters will be making an appearance at the Driscoll Public Library, Thursday, December 14 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Bywaters is the granddaughter of long time Devine resident, Mrs. Katherine Bywaters, and daughter of Charles Bywaters. Kathryn’s latest accomplishment is debut author with the release of her novel The Past Is Rising – a compelling fantasy epic that revolves around the uprising of dark forces bent on wresting a kingdom from its rightful rulers. Several warriors will discover that their true destinies are to salvage their kingdom and defeat the rising evil.
Bywaters has led an adventurous life to say the least. At the age of 12 her family moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, where she spent a great deal of time exploring many historical sites and being in awe of the surrounding opulent remnants of the Old Russian Empire. As political tensions rose in Russia her father thought it best to move his family to southern France. While in France, Kathryn lived in the mountaintop village of Rennes les Chateau and then the ancient Roman village of Rennes les Bains. She spent her days learning to speak French, exploring dozens of castles, and learning of the incredible history of the area.
“This area was so rich in history, mysteries and conspiracies; I never tired of listening to the stories”, Kathryn shared. “Even though I started writing in Russia, much of the inspiration for my writing comes from seeing the remnants of the old Roman roads twisting their way through the deserted streets of nearly abandoned villages.”
After 4 years in southern France, Kathryn decided to return to the states. She settled in Encinitas, CA where she had lived as a child. It was at this time that she received her G.E.D., enrolled in a local community college and discovered science. Bywaters never took a science class before receiving her G.E.D. and attending MireCosta College in Oceanside, CA.
“In 2001 I took my first biology class…I absolutely love science now,” Bywaters said. Kathryn went from thinking science was “incredibly” difficult to being one of seven people chosen to partake in a simulated Mars research mission. While working on her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry she became familiar with the Mars Society – a group of scientists researching habitat protocols for future Mars colonies. During her Mars research mission she lived with 7 others under strict simulation conditions conducting field research in around Haughton Crater, a 39 million year old impact structure, on Devon Island in the Canadian High Artic for four months. It was through her association with the Mars Society that she became familiar with NASA.
“I was fortunate enough to meet and become friends with scientists from NASA Ames who encouraged me to further my education,” commented Bywaters. “This inspired my interest in astrobiology.”
It wasn’t long after Kathryn applied for and was accepted into a PhD program at the University of Nevada at Reno.
“I conducted my graduate work at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada. During the four and a half years it took me to obtain my doctorate I conducted research in the field of biofuels.”
After obtaining her doctorate degree in Environmental Science she completed a two-year post doc at NASA’s Ames Research Center.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with brilliant scientists in many different areas and my research has taken me to Iceland, Europe, The Atacama Desert in Chile, and many other places.”
Bywaters now works as a SETI researcher at NASA’s Ames Research Center on life detection projects for future space exploration.
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to have Kathryn stop in at the library while she is visiting family for the holidays. Please join us for what will be an adventure filled question and answer time. If more information is needed please call the Driscoll Public Library at 830-663-2993.