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.