Melissa C. Navia was born on August 24, 1984, in New York, USA. She is a
Colombian-American actress known for her work in television and film. Navia
began her career in independent films, winning Best Actress at the Wild Rose
Independent Film Festival in 2013 for her role in The Paragon Cortex.
She has appeared in various television series, including Common Charges,
Billions, Dietland, and Bull. In 2022, she joined Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
as Lieutenant Erica Ortegas, the helmsman of the USS Enterprise. Her character
quickly became a fan favorite for her humor and piloting skills.
Navia is also a musician, playing the banjo, and has training in martial arts
and sword fighting. Her partner, Brian Bannon, passed away in 2021, just days
after being diagnosed with leukemia.