Rebecca Marcolina

PhD Candidate

I am a third-year doctoral candidate in the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine program at the University of Oklahoma. As a former technical writer and perpetual sci-fi fan, my research tends to revolve around popular science communication and education efforts in 20^th century America – especially those concerning space science and technology. I am currently working on two projects: the first analyzes artistic depictions of artificial habitats like space colonies and undersea laboratories, and the second studies “extracurricular” space education at sites like museums and planetariums. I specialize in digital and public history methodologies, as well as the methods and theories of American studies, art history, and environmental history.

Previous Degrees:
B.S. Technical Communication, Magna Cum Laude, Honors Fellow, Missouri University of Science and Technology
M.A. History of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Oklahoma

Master's Thesis:
“Advertising the Impossible Earth: The Visual Culture of Post-Apollo Space Colony Concept Art”

Research Interests:
20^th-century history of science and technology; space science and technology; science and the public; science and visual culture; digital and public history; American studies

Contact Information:
Email: rmarcolina@ou.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmarcolina/

Recent Scholarly Activity

Publications:

Review of Heefner, Gretchen. Sand, Snow, and Stardust: How US Military Engineers Conquered Extreme Environments. H-Environment, H-Net Reviews. December 2025. https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=62116.

With Brynn Fitzsimmons, Mylène Freeman, Steven Rodriguez, “Lost in Transcription” podcast episode. National Humanities Center, Podcasting the Humanities Virtual Institute. January 2022.

Presentations:

“Advertising the Impossible Earth: Post-Apollo Space Colony Concept Art and the ‘Placing’ of Outer Space”, panel presentation at the History of Science Society Annual Meeting. Fall 2022.

“Red Moon on the Rise: Reexamining Popular Space Race Myths”, guest lecture for OU HSCI course 3463, “Cold War Science”. Spring 2021.

“Lessons from the Suicide Squad: Big Science and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory”, guest lecture for OU HSCI course 3023, “History of Science Since the 17th Century”. Fall 2020.