She received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983, and then joined the USAF as 2nd lieutenant while continue her graduate work at the University of Massachusetts. 1988 she entered active duty at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as research chemist. During her work she also participated at the analysis of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiment launched with STS-41-C and retrieved with STS-32. In 1991 she received doctorate in polymer science and engineering from the University of Massachusetts. She was selected by NASA in 1992 to become a mission specialist astronaut.
She took part in two space shuttle missions so far. In 1995 she was member of the STS-73 crew on the scientific mission USML-1 with experiments including biotechnology, combustion science and the physics of fluids.
She also trained for the mission STS-83 to be the backup for Donald Thomas, however as he recovered on time she did not fly that mission.
STS-93 was Catherine Coleman second space flight. On that mission the Chandra X-ray Observatory was sent to orbit.