Both her mother and father are dead, her mother ina n attack on betazed and her father while serving aboard ship. Her Grandmother Kera Moriani lives on Betazed. Vanyssa is married to Marine Commander David Dark, and has two daughters - Jennah Winters Dark, her adopted 13 year old daughter and Katharine Winters-Dark, her 12 month year old baby.

Education

Doctoral Degree in Psyc/Xeno-Psych

Pre-Starfleet History

Born and Raised on the USS Newman, where her mother was the resident diplomatic expert and her father the Counselor, she stayed there until she was 7. Her mother was transferred to Betazed, and her father elected to remain on board the starship. Vanyssa was given the option of either parent, and returned home to Betazed with her mother. Her mother was killed in an attack on the planet by invaders, and Vanyssa, at the age of 12, had to return to the starship. She grew older and more physically fit, and at the age of 15 was often found making the rounds with her father, learning the craft of counseling from one of the Federation`s best. Her best friend aboard the Newman was Ensign Devan Sash, and the two got into incredible amounts of mischief together, including spiking the punch of an ambassadorial function; getting insulted by various Ambassadors and having her honor defended by Sash; and well, ask her and she'll tell you some of the things the two did together! She was a hellion :-) She entered the Starfleet Academy at the age of 18, and at the age of 23, was selected to attend the Meredium Undersea Academy in the hopes that she would be officer material. While in the Academy she recieved her doctoral degree in psychology.

Starfleet History

Vanyssa has had a troubled starfleet history. She served aboard the USS Vanguard, eventually adopting Jennah, then was transferred to the Nimitz, taking her daughter, Jennah with her. Vanyssa finds it hard to make friends easily, which is suprising fr a counsellor. While aboard the Nimitz, she gave birth to her second daughter.

Medical History

Vanyssa has neural damage caused by being such a strong telepath, and she refuses to slow down so that it can heal up totally. Prolonged use of her telepathic abilities tend to make her faint. She is also prone to over work, and under-rest, like most of Starfleet.

Skills

Vanyssa is exceedingly good with children, and prefers working with them, over adults. She also has enough medical training to make her good in a crises, but by preferance, chooses not to use it. David has been teaching her phaser and hand to hand combat after the romulan invasion of the Nimitz at Vanyssa's insistance.