GOVERNING COUNCIL
Yasmín Catricheo
Read MoreYasmín 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.
Dr. Tim Spuck
Read MoreTim 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
Read MoreDr. 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.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Desmond Wysenyuy
Read MoreDesmond Wysenyuy is the Program Coordinator for NA-ROAD where he coordinates programs, source out and develop partnership, source out funds for the office and manages fundraising, and manages marketing and communications. 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, Planetary Society and the Mars Society.
CURRENT ADVISORY BOARD
Tania Anderson
Read MoreTania 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
Read MoreIsa 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.
Dr. Ana Torres Campos
Read MoreAna 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.
Derrick H. Pitts
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Derrick Pitts has been associated with The Franklin Institute since 1978, designing and presenting many of the museum’s public programs and exhibits. A NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2010, he also served as NASA’s first ‘Astrobiology Ambassador’ and at the invitation of Space Shuttle astronauts, has flown items of his own creation on five different flights. Pitts appears regularly as a science content expert for most national and international media outlets including PBS NOVA, BBC, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, History Channel, and Curiosity Stream. He’s also been the “Astro Guy” for two NPR radio stations in Philadelphia for nearly 40 years. He’s created outreach content for major observatories around the world and has NASA-funded astronomy education programs operating through science museums and community centers from Alaska to Louisiana to Maine, connecting thousands of families to NASA’s vast array of online resources. In 1999, he was the lead astronomer for a Cunard Cruise Lines tour of the Black Sea region – which included a total solar eclipse! In 2010, he was the US Spokesperson for the International Astronomical Union’s International Year of Astronomy and he is an alum of the 2016 Astronomy in Chile Education Ambassador Program (ACEAP). He has received numerous awards including honorary degrees from LaSalle University, Rowan University and Wagner Free Institute. Pitts serves as a Board member for his alma mater St. Lawrence University, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and Associated Universities, Inc. His ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle is @CoolAstronomer and his motto is ‘Eat, breathe, do science. Sleep later.’
Derrick Pitts has been associated with The Franklin Institute since 1978, designing and presenting many of the museum’s public programs and exhibits. A NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2010, he also served as NASA’s first ‘Astrobiology Ambassador’ and at the invitation of Space Shuttle astronauts, has flown items of his own creation on five different flights. Pitts appears regularly as a science content expert for most national and international media outlets including PBS NOVA, BBC, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, History Channel, and Curiosity Stream. He’s also been the “Astro Guy” for two NPR radio stations in Philadelphia for nearly 40 years. He’s created outreach content for major observatories around the world and has NASA-funded astronomy education programs operating through science museums and community centers from Alaska to Louisiana to Maine, connecting thousands of families to NASA’s vast array of online resources. In 1999, he was the lead astronomer for a Cunard Cruise Lines tour of the Black Sea region – which included a total solar eclipse! In 2010, he was the US Spokesperson for the International Astronomical Union’s International Year of Astronomy and he is an alum of the 2016 Astronomy in Chile Education Ambassador Program (ACEAP). He has received numerous awards including honorary degrees from LaSalle University, Rowan University and Wagner Free Institute. Pitts serves as a Board member for his alma mater St. Lawrence University, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and Associated Universities, Inc. His ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle is @CoolAstronomer and his motto is ‘Eat, breathe, do science. Sleep later.’
Dr. Kartik Sheth
Read MoreDr. Kartik Sheth is a mission-driven, accomplished executive leader with a proven track record in driving innovation, strategic growth and results-driven decision-making in a career spanning academia, non-profits, and government. He is a world renowned astrophysicist tackling problems in galaxy evolution, star formation, and cosmology. He focuses on empowering the next generation of science and technology leaders to accelerate innovation in global markets and is an expert in leading cross-functional, diverse teams leveraging design thinking to craft high-impact solutions, and fostering organizational excellence. Most recently Dr. Sheth served as the Associate Chief Scientist for NASA, and prior to that worked in both the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget at the White House. His expertise spans a vast range of topics from physics and astronomy, to clean energy technologies and manufacturing, to using design thinking to increase inclusion in science and technology and empower people to become problem solvers in issues ranging from urban development to climate resilience to building human capital and knowledge economy at regional, national and international scales.
Dr. Kristine Spekkens
Read MoreDr. Kristine Spekkens is a Professor in the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy at Queen’s University. Spekkens leads a research group focused on measuring the structure of galaxies like our own Milky Way to understand how they form and evolve, and finding the faintest star-forming galaxies to understand their role as universal building blocks. Dr. Spekkens is also deeply involved in community efforts to support the construction and sustainable operations of the SKA Observatory, a billion-dollar mega-science project to build the world’s largest radio telescope. Nationally, she is the Canadian SKA Science Director responsible for coordinating across stakeholders in Canadian SKA participation, and internationally, she chairs the SKA Observatory Science and Engineering Advisory Committee which provides independent technical and scientific advice to this global project.
PAST ADVISORY BOARD
Bettymaya Foott
Read MoreBettymaya Foott loves to bring people to the dark side. As the Director of Engagement for DarkSky International, Bettymaya works with a global community of dark sky defenders, empowering them with tools, resources, and inspiration to protect the night sky. An avid astrophotographer, you can usually find her out under the stars with one of her three cameras battling off mosquitos. Bettymaya’s photography has been featured in Sky and Telescope, National Geographic, and the Los Angeles Times. Her dark sky efforts have reached TedX Kansas City and the New York Times.
Dr. José Morey
Read MoreJosé Morey, M.D. is Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Ad Astra Media LLC, an Eisenhower Fellow, and Co-Founder of Ever Medical Technologies. He is a health and technology keynote speaker, author, and consultant for NASA, Forbes, MIT, the United Nations World Food Program and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He is considered the world’s first Intergalactic Doctor and is often featured on Forbes, Univision, CNBC, and NASA360. He coined Puerto Rico as the future “Silicon Island” as appeared in Forbes, The Weekly Journal, Reddit and Hispanic Executive. Additionally, along with Frank Carbajal, he is co-author of “LatinX Business Success” by Wiley Publishing.
Sue Ann Heatherly
Read MoreSue Ann Heatherly is the senior education officer at the Green Bank Observatory, and directs the educational programs there.
Billy Hix
Read MoreBilly grew up in deep rural poverty where he dreamed of leaving and working in the space program. He found no support in the education system at the time and promised someday to return and make a difference. He worked for many years as a science liaison director for several science and propulsion initiatives at NASA/MSFC. Since his retirement, over 75,000 students and teachers have looked up at the night sky in his planetarium. Billy is founder and CEO of TeachSTEM LLC which conducts planetarium programs to rural schools in TN at no cost. After returning to Tennessee to care for a parent, he taught science teachers in undergrad and graduate level course work and worked with K-12 schools across the state to start STEM programs.
April Russell
Read MoreApril Russell is a passionate advocate for astronomy education and community engagement. With a strong background in astrophysics, education, and strategic leadership, she has dedicated her career to fostering a global appreciation for the wonders of the universe. April earned a BS in physics and a MS in planetary sciences from MIT, and an MA in Education. She was the astronomer at Dudley Observatory, and taught astrophysics at both Siena and Vassar College. April has spearheaded the creation of innovative science education resources that enhance engagement and success, particularly for neurodiverse learners. She has also contributed significantly to published research, including a multi-decade asteroid study. Asteroid 33845 Aprilrussell is named in her honor.