Team Name Fun FactS:
Abeona is the Goddess of Outward Journeys. The 9 simply represents our initial assignment of "Team 9."
Individual Biographies:
Lead Scientist, Aatiya Ali, is a rising senior at the University of Florida, pursuing a B.S. in Astrophysics and hopes to go directly to graduate school afterwards to earn her PhD in Astronomy. Being involved in research since her freshman year, Aatiya has been on both the instrumentation and data analysis sides of research for over 2 years now, and is also an intern for spectropolarimetry at the National Solar Observatory this Summer 2020 through an REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) with CU Boulder. Having worked majorly on stellar systems, optic fibers, black holes, and pulsars; the experience of working on a team has given her the experience to work on a Martian mission. Her experience in research and analysis will help streamline the goals within the science team and relate them to the instruments and technical designs chosen for the mission. This will provide a collaboration between the science and engineering Teams.
Personnel Safety & IT Specialist, Benjamin Baker, is pursuing a B.S. degree in IT Information Systems at Barry University in Melbourne, Florida. Benjamin has experience and knowledge with computers and software. This includes computer systems, computer networks, software development, databases, and project management. He also has experience in program languages such as Java, JavaScript, C#, C++, and SQL. Benjamin has also served in the United States Air Force for seven years, where he developed strong working ethics and leadership skills. His computer skills and systems knowledge will be utilized for aspects of the engineering subsystem designs.
Lead Engineer, Courtney Rumbaugh, is pursuing a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering. She is currently studying at Valencia College in Orlando, FL, and will complete her degree at the University of Central Florida. Courtney has already concluded all requirements for a minor in Astronomy. For two consecutive years, Courtney participated in AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) to design and build remote-control airplanes, which has provided her with experience in team project management, executing mission objectives, utilizing computer-aided design (CAD), project proposal/presentation, and manufacturing. Courtney has been a Certified Solidworks Associate (CSWA) since April 2019. Furthermore, she is a student pilot in flight training for her private pilot license, exposing her to real-life applications of engineering calculations, physics, and aerodynamics. Courtney’s unique skill set makes her an integral element to both the engineering and management teams.
Rover Design Engineer, Ian Schiess, is a sophomore pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. He is currently attending Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and will continue his education at the University of Florida. Ian’s strengths include research and writing proposals, a critical and unique thought process, CAD experience, and an overall desire to improve. Opportunities such as NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program, the PBSC Honors College, the Math Olympics, and the writing and publication of Physics Engines: Their Functions, and Their Applications served to expand Ian’s horizons, skills, and experience. Ian is a challenge-hungry student with qualities of determination and eagerness to learn.
Lead Admin, Jessica Flores, is a senior at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida who is currently pursuing her B.S. in Chemical Engineering. She has a year of experience interning at NASA Langley Research Center where she was researching and experimenting with polymers that would be used as coatings for aerospace crafts. In this internship, she learned valuable skills in experimentation and instrumentation. Additionally, Jessica has experience with budgeting and scheduling from her position as Treasurer for the Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE) Chapter at her university. She brings forth valuable skills making her a great asset to the admin, engineering, and science teams respectively.
Subsystems Integration Engineer, Joshua Bays, is currently a sophomore at Polk State College in Lakeland, Florida. He is currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering with plans to transfer to the University of Florida. Joshua has previous research project experience through a collaboration with a professor from his college to study the mathematics behind putting a satellite into stable orbit around the Moon, in which he learned the complexities of flight and space-travel. Joshua understands the useful resources needed for success within a team, as well as valuable leadership skills, acquired through his Vice President position in his school’s Honor Council.
EDL Design Engineer, Raoul Nelson, is currently a sophomore at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. He plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida to continue pursuing his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. Raoul has 3 years of experience in CAD modeling software and has created his own concept models. He also has prior experience with NASA through the NASA Community Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program, where he did research to create a concept rover in the Autodesk Inventor software that could analyze the South Polar ice caps on Mars. He is passionate about creating concepts and bringing them to life.
Project Manager, Roberto Nieves, is currently pursuing his B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida by way of transfer from Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. Roberto’s experience includes management and planning skills refined over his 10 year career in the United States Marine Corps as well as team building skills developed throughout his civil service career. Additionally, Roberto is a recent graduate from the Executive Leadership Program prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management. In March 2020, Mr. Nieves completed an experiential learning assignment with the Department of Defense - Program Manager, Training Systems with the engineering competency team. In this capacity, Roberto gained valuable experience with requirements traceability matrices, PM Team Lead Reviews, System reengineering PDRs, and acquisition lifecycle document drafting.
Geological Investigator, Simon Mendenhall, is a senior at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, currently pursuing a B.S. in Physics with a minor in Astronomy. He has research experience in the novel optical characterization of 2D nanomaterials using Photoluminescence (PL) and Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS). During his time in the laboratory, he has acquired skills in data processing/analysis and figure generation for 2D semiconductor alloys using programming languages like MATLAB. Simon also has experience in tutoring at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels in subjects such as Spanish, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology. This experience along with his technical and communication skills allow him to contribute to a multitude of projects in a professional work environment.
Deputy Project Manager, Thalia Fortich, is a sophomore attending Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. She will be a rising junior at the University of Central Florida in the Fall of 2020 and will continue her studies for a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. Thalia has been recognized by Valencia College for her leadership in creating the first engineering club at her school’s campus, the Osceola Young Engineers Association (OYEA!). She has had the opportunity to complete two internships at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Her opportunities have allowed her to expand her skills within systems engineering, programming, and computer-aided design. Thalia’s most recent accomplishment was developing the 2020 Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) Technology Innovation Call. Her role was to develop and manage the bi-annual call that expanded to all NASA centers to receive ideas for EGS’s technology needs for the Artemis Program.
Environmental Safety Scientist, Yolanda Pineda, is currently a senior attending Florida International University. She is pursuing her B.A. degree in Biological Sciences and hopes to continue her studies in Astrobiology. Being exposed to a variety of laboratory experience, Yolanda has knowledge on how to conduct and interpret a magnitude of science research, handle different instrumentation, and communicate findings using a multitude of resources. Additionally, Yolanda has worked as a science communicator at Iknowscience and Essencia Air for over two years. She is passionate and enthusiastic about sharing science with the world and executes this through her writing and involvement with the community. Yolanda’s unique skills and determination allow for her to contribute to the team in many aspects.