NA-ROAD Team

Yasmín is a STEM Educator Officer, working for Associated Universities, Inc. She has a history of teaching astronomy and STEM-related topics in Chilean schools and Universities, having completed her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Bío-Bío in Concepción, Chile. Yasmin is a member of the MAPU TRAFUN association, and being of Mapuche origins, she has been working for the past years to preserve and share the Mapuche indigenous roots, knowledge and ways of knowing the universe through social and educational activities. She serves as the current President and CEO of the Janequeo Foundation, the Governing Council Chairperson for the International Astronomical Union – North American Regional Office of Astronomy for Development, and Board Secretary for the Astronomers Without Borders Board of Directors.

Shari Lifson is the Corporate Communications Coordinator for the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). She is responsible for working with AURA’s three centers: Space Telescope Science Institute, NSF’s NOIRLab, and  the National Solar Observatory to develop cross-center communication efforts and strategies. Prior to joining AURA, Lifson worked as a Communication Officer for the Center for Climate Systems Research at the Earth Institute/Columbia University. Shari Lifson holds a master’s degree from Columbia in Sustainability Management and a master’s in Visual Communication from the Pratt Institute. She is based at the AURA corporate office in Baltimore, Maryland.

Tim is the Director of Education & Public Engagement at AUI where he manages the development and implementation of innovative STEM Education programs, and leads efforts to build domestic and international partnerships. Tim also serves as the current President for the Oil Region Astronomical Society, and Board Chairperson for Astronomers Without Borders. Prior to his role with AUI he taught astronomy and earth sciences at the high school and university levels and served as a K–12 Science Coordinator. Tim holds a doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction from West Virginia University.

Dr. Laura Trouille is Vice President of Science Engagement at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and co-lead for the Zooniverse.org people-powered research platform with over 80 active projects across the disciplines and 2 million participants worldwide. Her background is in astronomy as well as collaborating with education researchers on innovative ways to bring science to the public.

Desmond Wysenyuy is the Program Coordinator for NA-ROAD where he coordinates projects, partnership development, fundraising, and communication strategies. Previously, he worked as Management and Research Analyst at Arizona State University’s (ASU) School of Earth and Space Exploration during his Master’s in Global Management. Before that, he was a Program Manager and Lecturer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Institute in Nigeria, following his Master’s in Space Science and Technology specializing in Satellite Communication Design and Modeling. He is the Founder and inaugural President of the Mars Society Chapter at ASU and an active member of the Space Force Association, National Space Society, Space Foundation, Space Generation Advisory Council and the Mars Society.

Tania Anderson is a committee member for the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and leads program management for the Youth for Astronomy and Engineering (YAE) at Space Telescope Science Institute. She has over 23 years of experience in non-profit, government, and academic backgrounds. Anderson’s expertise is in business operation and management, diversity training, STEM pipeline development, and outreach.

Isa Mohammed is an amateur astronomer, engineer and entrepreneur residing in Trinidad and Tobago. He is the current President of the Caribbean Institute of Astronomy, and he also serves as the Trinidad and Tobago National Coordinator for Astronomers Without Borders. Isa is a Director and Sales Manager at Eniath’s Printing Company Limited. Apart from his work in science outreach and education, he is also an avid astrophotographer. When he’s not tending to his business or doing outreach, he can usually be found behind a telescope, fishing, or playing board games with his wife and three sons.

Ana Torres Campos was born in the state of Puebla in Mexico. She graduated from Telematic’s Engineering and then completed a PhD in Astrophysics in the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE) in Mexico. During her PhD studies she started actively participating in astronomy outreach activities. She  worked as the Large Millimeter Telescope outreach officer for three years. Currently she works as an Administrative and Research Fellow at the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation in Mexico and stands as Co-National Outreach Coordinator for the IAU’s Office for Astronomy Outreach.