Melissa Navia

Melissa Navia, an accomplished American actress, is widely recognized for her role as helmsman Erica Ortegas in the hit television series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Born on August 24, 1984, in New York City, Navia honed her craft at the Professional Performing Arts School, where she immersed herself in acting, singing, and dancing. She furthered her education at the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama.

Navia's theatrical journey began with performances in classic plays such as The Crucible, The Taming of the Shrew, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. She also made her mark in various short films and commercial projects. Her career took a significant turn in 2013 when she portrayed Dawn in the sci-fi film The Paragon Cortex, a role that earned her critical acclaim and a Best Actress award at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival.

In 2022, she joined the Star Trek franchise, taking on the role of Erica Ortegas. Her portrayal in this prequel to the original series has received accolades from both critics and audiences. Beyond Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Navia has appeared in notable television series such as Bull, New Amsterdam, Billions, and Dietland, as well as films like The Perfect Match and The Girl Who Invented Kissing.

In addition to acting, Navia is a talented writer and stand-up comedian, and she is trained in martial arts and sword fighting, showcasing her diverse skill set.