On Aug. 21, Tracy Caldwell returned to Earth aboard space shuttle Endeavour. This month, the astronaut returns to UC Davis, where she earned a doctorate in chemistry in 1997.

Caldwell is scheduled to give a talk at 4 p.m. Jan. 25 in Freeborn Hall, and participate in a question-and-answer session afterward, as part of the College of Letters and Science Deans Speakers Series. The program is free and open to the public.

With Endeavour's launch last Aug. 8, Caldwell became the second Aggie to go into space. Stephen Robinson was the first; he graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical and mechanical engineering.

Robinson has completed three missions in space, all aboard space shuttle Discovery, in 1997, 1998 and 2005. He received the UC Davis Medal in 2005.

Caldwell, too, is in for recognition, selected as the Cal Aggie Alumni Association's Young Alumna of the Year. That award and other alumni association awards for 2008 are due to be presented at a gala dinner Jan. 26.

Caldwell was accepted into the astronaut program in 1998. She flew aboard Endeavour to the International Space Station, where the shuttle crew carried out construction work. One of Caldwell's tasks was to operate the robotic arm from within the shuttle.

Winston Ko, dean of mathematical and physical sciences, said Caldwell's talk will feature her personal account of her space mission, plus photos. Also, she is expected to return several Aggie mementoes that she took with her into space.