Casual Space

A 6th grade science teacher, a field trip to the Cosmosphere, lots of hard work, several advanced degrees, and a NASA internship has all been a influential part of Dr. Sarah Wallace's journey. Dr. Sarah Wallace has always been in love with space, and through her work at NASA, she's found her calling.

As a microbiologist, Sarah serves as the principal investigator for the Biomolecule Sequencer, allowing DNA to be sequenced in space on board the International Space Station. Talking to Sarah is like talking to your best friend, if your best friend happens to be a super-smart, yet down-to-Earth NASA microbiologist!

Beth and Sarah energetically enjoy discussing:

• The Kansas Cosmosphere and how it fostered the joy and inspiration for Sarah to understand space

• How we are all just walking bacteria…

• What it's like to see her experiments be flown on the International Space Station, including the first ever DNA sequencer in space!

• AND, having a space wedding. Not just a space-themed wedding, I mean, a serious space nerd let's-take-this-all-the-way SPACE wedding. Short of actually having it IN space.

About Dr. Sarah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaEqVYw7O3g

Taken from adafruit.com: Dr. Sarah Wallace is currently is the NASA Microbiologist and Principal Investigator for the Genes in Space-3 Project aboard the International Space Station (ISS). She works at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Wallace conducts research to understand how the environment in space alters the behavior of microbes and runs her tests aboard the ISS. This will help us to one day identify microbes in-flight. The recent Biomolecule Sequencer (MinION) that Wallace worked on, showed that DNA sequencing in space is possible.

BONUS SHOW NOTES & QUOTES:

On being a female in microbiology: "I had a pretty even split of females and males in my graduate classes, and at my lab here at NASA, we have TONS of female scientists, and it's really exciting! I have several female colleagues that started with me right out of their undergrad or Ph. D. programs and have blossomed into become these phenomenal scientists! I feel like things are really opening up for anyone who is qualified and passionate, and it's no longer a stereotypical 'man's world'.

I got to meet with some of the women from the Apollo mission, and most of them were assistants. Now, females are running the divisions and the directorates, and females leading as subject matter experts in all disciplines. It's really great to see how big that change has been since Apollo.

Sarah attended Wichita State and loved microbiology, and molecular biology. Determined to find a graduate program that had both, Sarah found the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The NASA connection and fellowships in the life sciences through NASA allowed Sarah to conduct most of her research at the NASA Johnson Space Center for her Ph.D. dissertation.

"It's been a rewarding path, steppingstones often presented themselves to me, AND, I worked REALLY hard to make that happen. I was laser focused to get to NASA."

About Being a Part of the Team to Put the First DNA Sequencer on Station: "If you just stop and think about it, something that's very complex on Earth, sequencing DNA, has become commonplace in space! We have DNA sequencing in space! We have been sequencing DNA on board ISS since 2016. To date, we've done about 30 sequencing runs with about 6 different astronauts. Why that's important: it's been not only an incredible achievement, and there are SO many applications… from my area we monitor the station (air and water microbes) and we have no way to do that unless we bring the samples back to Earth, which does not set us up very well as we try to move away from low-Earth orbit and not be dependent on sample return. My team developed a method where we could go all the way from sample to answer not only to fly the sequencer, but we developed all the preparation methods to take a swab of anything really and sequence the microbial DNA from that swab. The things we find are common and they are the same things we find in your room. ISS is incredibly clean.

About What's Next: "I have colleagues who are interested in getting in the human health domain. We know humans are changing in response to spaceflight. The hows and whys and what's really going on are not widely known, so this technology can be very powerful in helping us understand this better. Based on an astronaut's genetic makeup, there could be a "eat this, do this kind of exercise" monitoring to understand if they are responding favorably or poorly to the recommendations (based on the sequencing) and really get into a precision medicine type approach. This (sequencing technology) is definitely something that I see moving into a doctor's office for everyone's benefit.

On DNA and RNA sequencing and epigenetics- "Yes, there's absolutely ways that we ourselves are regulating what genes are turned on or off through these mechanisms, HOW that's happening and to what responses are the types of questions that we are looking to answer right now."

On What Happens When Girls Get to Meet Sarah (as a Doctor, as a Scientist, as a NASA researcher for Station): "It's surreal." Between all of the amazing opportunities I've had since we launched the sequencer in 2016 until now, I've had more people ask for my autograph and to take selfies with me.. it's like, 'what is happening? I'm just a nerd!' It's incredible and it makes me feel so good. NASA has a video series called, "What's on Board?" and I was fortunate to talk about the DNA sequencer. There was a young girl in the audience interested in science journalism, and she came up to me after the program and said to me, 'You are NOT what I expected a NASA scientist to be!' It made me feel really good because obviously I connected with her."

What's On the Horizon: "I look forward to when we can address those opportunities with cutting edge technologies, making sure we're making the environment safe for the crew, and then using these technologies to learn more about what happens to life in space. We are at the cusp of this really exciting time where we know things change, but we don't really understand the hows and the whys and the next decade is really going to start to shine light into these answers, and I'm excited to see NASA using these technologies to understand what's happening in space with cellular life."

MORE!!!!

On International Space Station DNA Sequencing:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/dna_sequencing

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/biomolecule_sequencer

KIDS! Students! Check out Genes in Space- YOUR opportunity to fly an experiment in SPACE: https://www.genesinspace.org/

• If you've ever wondered how astronauts might survive a deep-space mission or how we might use biology to transform new worlds, Genes in Space is for you:

• • Propose an experiment that utilizes molecular biology capabilities aboard the ISS, specifically polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

• • Test your hypothesis in the ultimate lab: The International Space Station

Kelly Larson has climbed mountains. Literally and figuratively.

(Check out her TED talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49CaCeC4C_Y)!

As the CEO of Aquarian Space, there's always challenges to be overcome, just like the challenges we must overcome within our universe. Major space weather events. Solar flares, coronal mass ejections. Don't worry, Kelly's working on it.

Beth and Kelly share a casual conversation that answers:

• What's more difficult? Being a CEO to a space start-up, or completing a Ph.D.?

• What motivates Kelly to climb mountains when it can be SO DIFFICULT?

• A LOT of our asteroid detection is done by volunteers. This global threat has some great people working on this and they're doing a great job. Is it enough?

• Which leadership traits can be implemented from years of yoga practice and instruction?

"This industry is a key essential about life… our capacity to be in touch with the wonder and the awe that space reminds us of. To be in touch with that, I believe, makes us better humans."-Kelly Larson from Casual Space Podcast

About Kelly Larson: CEO of Aquarian Space, TEDx speaker and a serial entrepreneur, Kelly Larson, ABD, is an innovator at the intersection of business, science and leadership. As a farm girl grown into a Yoga and transformation entrepreneur turned space CEO, she trail-blazes new business ventures and connects people and ideas across the globe. Kelly is widely known for her innovative approaches to business and her strategic range. She currently specializes in aerospace market-ready development strategies with an emphasis in collaborative international partnerships and high-level entrepreneurial ventures. Kelly sees that we can only develop a strong interplanetary economy together.

"We're going to network the solar system so that people going to Jupiter, anybody that wants to go out into space can send a signal back to Earth- we're offering a higher data capacity option."

About Aquarian Space: https://aquariandevices.com/

Aquarian Space (formerly Devices) is the world's first commercial Space Based Interplanetary Communications Provider.

Their Space Based Relay Network allows customers to send and receive high volumes of uninterrupted streaming data quickly and reliably, 24/7.

Aquarian Devices is building the foundational infrastructure for a fully networked Solar System that will relieve a major bottleneck in lunar and deep space communications and open the door for humanity's expansion into the next frontier.

PS- Aquarian Devices is currently looking for a CTO, and a COO! More details at the end of the show notes.

BONUS SHOW NOTES & QUOTES:

On being a female CEO: "During today's space conference, I've been noticing on the panels where both male and female CEO's are presenting, the females are asked about risk, and the males are asked about their upsides." I feel like I'm paddling upstream sometimes. I prefer to be kind, and a relational-based person. That means that (at times) people tend to often underestimate me. I have advantages: I can relate with people really well. I have a fresh energy.

What I see in my future is an adventure. To me, being a woman and being a leader is not just about breaking stereotypes, it's also about bringing the gifts that are innate. I have different hormones in my body and I'm wired differently, so I feel delighted in trailblazing as one of many women that's about femininity that's really powerful in leadership."

About Being a CEO: "I've done start-ups before. The bootstrapping. It's hard. I mean, it's really hard. Raising capital is a whole other level with the team. Doing a start up with one of the more audacious technologies, and one of the most 'out there' industries, it was so hard. It was so challenging. I just listened to my gut and I just knew that this was going to be a long-term thing for me. I got through the first layer of fire, and now it's really fun."

"I never questioned that I was supposed to be doing this. When I'm committed, I'm committed. What kept me climbing mountains and walking through fires (as a CEO)? The answer today, is that it's FUN. I'm not just getting to create a really cool company in an incredible industry, but a company that's going to make a major impact on the space industry AND, one of the technologies our company makes possible are space weather and asteroid detection, which are two of the biggest threats to human kind. I get to literally and very functionally contribute to the preservation of our species!"

"I get to speak about space, and get people re-connected to space and the beauty & magnificence of it. It feels like a privilege and an honor. It is so hard and it's great."

About Solving the Problems of Space Threats: "NeoCam Near-Earth Object Camera is coming, and it will help, but it doesn't help cover all of the problems. So what we can do at Aquarian Devices is the first high-data rate deep space communication, to help with space weather and asteroid detection. Through 360 degree cameras and AI, we are able to get the data so that the brilliant scientists on Earth can predict and track the threats."

On the Space Exploration Industry from Kelly's Unique Perspective: "Space right now is in this profound moment of growth and change. It is THE time that start-ups are starting to thrive and take off. Everything is changing right now."

Aquarian Devices: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Salary Upon Funding • Co-Founder equity position to vest with milestones

Aquarian Space is an interplanetary communications start-up company offering 24/7 high data rate, high speed delivery relay satellites between the Moon, Mars and Earth. The targeted customer markets are international space agencies, international defense agencies and commercial space explorers.

Aquarian Space is a growing startup seeking a full-time executive to develop and execute key technology plans. We have strong innovative designs and customer interest, solid partnerships forming and dedicated cofounders to build with. Initially, the compensation will be equity-only. However, with the execution of near-term plans to acquire both revenue and funding in the next quarter, a salary will be immediately introduced. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of the company. The CTO works closely with the CEO and executive management and reports to the CEO. Using an active and practical approach, the CTO will direct all employees in Engineering Department to attain the company's established strategic goals. The company is young, so incoming CTO will also help define the position itself.

To ensure success you should have a clear understanding of our company's core values and culture. Top candidates will be experienced in the aerospace start up industry, exemplary leaders, have superb technical and business acumen and have sound understanding of lunar and deep space communications.

CORE VALUES:

Trust, integrity, creativity, problem solving, collaboration, co-creation, service, respect, honor, playfulness, freedom to do it differently, simplicity and boundaries.

CTO RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works with CEO and Chief Inventor to establish the company's technical vision and leads all aspects of the company's technological development.
• Directs the company's technical strategic direction, development and future growth.
• Works in a consultative fashion with other department heads, such as sales and operations, in service of collaborative support.
• Provide leadership in a fashion that supports the company's culture, mission and values.
• Coordinates with Chief Inventor on research and case studies on leading edge technologies and makes determinations on the probability of implementation.
• Acts as a good steward of Aquarian Space by co-creating an economically efficient, culturally inspiring company that produces robust technology with integrity.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Co-Founder equity position Aquarian Space is an interplanetary communications start-up company offering 24/7 high data rate, high speed delivery relay satellites between the Moon, Mars and Earth. The targeted customer markets are international space agencies, international defense agencies and commercial space explorers. Aquarian Space is a growing startup seeking a full-time executive to develop and execute key technology plans. We have strong innovative designs and customer interest, solid partnerships forming and dedicated cofounders to build with. Initially, the compensation will be equity-only. However, with the execution of nearterm plans to acquire both revenue and funding in the next quarter, a salary will be immediately introduced. We are looking for a seasoned COO to create and refine our company's operational processes. The COO will assist in compiling the company's budget and employ strategies to safeguard assets, compile financial reports, and control financial policies and procedures until the CFO comes on board. The COO will team up with management to implement business strategies. The company is young, so incoming COO will also help define the position itself. To ensure success you should have a clear understanding of our company's core values and culture. Top candidates will be experienced in the start up aerospace industry, exemplary leaders, have superb business acumen and have sound understanding of tech industry business strategies. CORE VALUES: Trust, integrity, creativity, problem solving, collaboration, co-creation, service, respect, honor, playfulness, freedom to do it differently, simplicity and boundaries.

COO RESPONSIBILITIES: • Assist the CEO to scale business and grow through Seed & Series A rounds. • Work with executive team to build company culture. • Work together with key participants to refine operations budget. • Spearheading strategies to steer the company's future in a positive direction. • Driving the company's operating capabilities to surpass customer satisfaction and retention, and company goals. • Implement better business practices. • Delegate responsibilities to ensure staff members grow as capable participants. • Employ various initiatives to coach employees to optimize their capabilities.

• PODCASTS!!!
• • Casual Space Podcast! I love #61 with Bill Nye and #65 with Matthew Dominick
• • Houston, We Have a Podcast – Mission Patches, Episode #130
  • Houston, We Have a Podcast – Art and Space with Astronaut Nicole Stott #129
  • Planetary Radio – The Return of Cosmos with Ann Duryan

• NETFLIX and SHOWS
• • Cosmos: Possible Worlds (On National Geographic)
  • The EXPANSE (On Syfy)
  • Picard (Star Trek) This is on CBS All-Access, but DON'T PAY- right now it's FREE.

• MUSEUMS

1. • Virtual Tours at your local museum, planetarium or observatory- or NATIONAL Museum. Have fun looking at different museums and locations!

• GO OUTSIDE..

1. • Star Finder app, Sky Watch app
   • Sky Live app and there's many more to choose from
   • Telescopes! Binoculars! Looking up with the naked eyes!
   • International Space Station sighting!

• MODEL ROCKET

1. • Kits available at: Walmart!

• Old School Videos from our Nation's Favorite Science Guy, BILL NYE!

1. • Planets and Moons

• MASTER CLASS video subscription learning service

1. • Chris Hadfield

• S'MORE MAGAZINE

1. • https://www.smoremagazine.com/

• LIBRARY and other FREE downloads and educational resources galore!

1. • E-learning downloads from your local library.
   • NASA' has an INCREDIBLE "NASA at Home" that I'm LOVING. It's got a little something for everyone.

• BOOKS

1. • Alcohol in Space, by Chris Carberry
   • The Girl Who Named Pluto, by Alice McGinty
   • Here We Are, Notes for Living on Planet Earth, by Oliver Jeffers
   • What If? By Randall Munroe
   • Space 2.0 by Rod Pyle

Irene Woerner is no stranger to start ups (she's built a few) and is a certified space expert; she was the principal investigator on research and ground software on the Pluto missions at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory AND, while at NASA, she led a team of researchers on advanced information systems.

Currently, Irene is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of emTRUTH, because she believes in the transformative power of innovative technologies combined with people of excellence to make it happen. Prior to emTRUTH, Irene was a technology consultant to Fortune 500 companies.

Beth and Irene finally meet in person at SPACECOM Expo, and share a casual conversation that includes:

• What emTruth works to provide: technology that self-detects and self-fixes devices and cyber security in the world and in the aerospace industry.

• How influential a summer camp opportunity (in Hawaii) was for Irene's future and love for science…

• What it's like to be able to select the people you WANT to work with, and what happens when you love the work you do… and

• About working at NASA, why playing softball at NASA was so important, and how having the support from your family helps encourage career success

"I founded the company on two principals. One, I wanted to do something that I believed in. Two, I wanted to do it with people that I really liked." -Irene Woerner from Casual Space Podcast

About Irene Woerner: Irene Woerner, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder

Irene co-founded emTRUTH, because she believes in the transformative power of innovative technologies combined with people of excellence to make it happen. Prior to emTRUTH, Irene was a technology consultant to Fortune 500 companies. emTRUTH is Irene's second start-up. Irene spent many years at NASA JPL and was responsible for flight and ground software on the Pluto mission. While at JPL, she also led a team of researchers on advanced information systems.

About emTruth: https://www.emtruth.com/

Every company is a data company. Cybersecurity, authenticity, traceability and compliance are all important factors for this data.

Powered by an innovative blockchain technology stack, emTRUTH provides secure and trusted solutions for enduring value.

Beth sits down with NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick last week at NASA's Johnson Space Center to discuss his work as an Artemis Generation astronaut. At the time of his selection as an Astronaut Candidate in June 2017, Matt was at sea on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, a Naval Aviator, and a department head for Strike Fighter Squadron 115.

He has accumulated more than 1,600 flight hours in 28 aircraft models, 400 carrier arrestments, 61 combat missions, and nearly 200 flight test carrier landings (arrested and touch-and-go). Yep, it's impressive. And the conversation Matt and Beth share is just as impressive! Listen to hear highlights that include:

• Where Matt was and what he was doing when he "got the call" to welcome him to the NASA astronaut corp (Once Matt found out he was selected as an astronaut, Matt called someone incredibly special from the ship and asked her not to tell a soul! Listen to find out who)

• What cultural impression stayed with Matthew after living in Japan

• Matt's used to living in many places, but the BUGS of Texas have their own story…

• How exploring space is like exploring the south pole…

• Matt's thoughts regarding the NASA Administrator's goal to return to the Moon in2024

This is a unique time at NASA- For the first time in more than four years, NASA began accepting applications Monday for future astronauts. Aspiring Moon to Mars explorers have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 31, to apply.

The call for more astronauts comes at a time when the agency is preparing to send the first woman and next man to the Moon with the Artemis program. Exploring the Moon during this decade will help prepare humanity for its next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars.

U.S. citizens may submit applications to #BeAnAstronaut at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/561186900

About Becoming a NASA Astronaut:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/an-astronaut-s-guide-to-applying-to-be-an-astronaut

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/news/2015/11/4/so-you-want-to-be-an-astronaut/

About Matthew:

https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/matthew-dominick/biography

Summary: Matthew Dominick was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. He reported for duty in August 2017 and having completed the initial astronaut candidate training is now eligible for a mission assignment. The Colorado native earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of San Diego and a Master of Science degree in in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He graduated from U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He has more than 1,600 hours of flight time in 28 aircraft, 400 carrier-arrested landings, and 61 combat missions.

Personal Data:Dominick was born and raised in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He is married to Faith Dominick, and the couple has two daughters. His parents, Donald and Rhonda Dominick, still live in Wheat Ridge.

Education:Graduated from D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School in Golden, Colorado. Earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of San Diego with minors in Physics and Mathematics. Earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Experience:Dominick was commissioned through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) following graduation from the University of San Diego in 2005 and reported to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. He was designated as a Naval Aviator in 2007 and reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, for transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. Following his initial training, Dominick was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 143. He made two deployments to the North Arabian Sea, flying close air support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While with Strike Fighter Squadron 143, Dominick was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School / U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Co-Operative Program, where he earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School and graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

Designated a developmental test pilot in 2013, Dominick was assigned to the fixed wing carrier suitability flight test department of Air Test Evaluation Squadron 23. There he served as developmental flight test project officer for a variety of carrier suitability test programs, including MAGIC CARPET, Joint Precision Approach & Landing Systems, Infrared Search and Track Pod, and the precision approach and landing certification of aircraft carriers. He flew developmental flight tests in the F/A-18ABCD, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G. Additionally, he contributed to X-47B, Unmanned Carrier Launched Surveillance and Strike, V-22, T-45, E-2C, C-2A, and F-35C test programs.

In 2016, Dominick returned to an operational naval squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron 115, flying F/A-18E Super Hornets in the Forward Deployed Naval Forces stationed in Atsugi, Japan.

At the time of his selection as an Astronaut Candidate in June 2017, Dominick was at sea on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, a Naval Aviator, and a department head for Strike Fighter Squadron 115. He has accumulated more than 1,600 flight hours in 28 aircraft models, 400 carrier arrestments, 61 combat missions, and nearly 200 flight test carrier landings (arrested and touch-and-go).

NASA Experience:Dominick reported for duty in August 2017 and completed two years of training as an Astronaut Candidate. He is currently awaiting flight assignment.

Awards/Honors:2015 Naval Test Wing Atlantic Test Pilot of the Year; Member of the 2015 Department of the Navy Test Team of the Year; Strike Flight Air Medal (three awards); Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal; and Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards)

Organizations:Society of Experimental Test Pilots Society of Flight Test Engineers and Tailhook Association.

Norah started photography in high school, from a camera her father gave her. By playing around with her camera and just shooting pictures, she fell in love with photography. Then she went to school to study imaging and photographic technology. After several NASA summer internships and lots of networking, Norah was brought on at NASA Johnson Space Center as a Science Photographer. You can see her talented work, along with her colleagues at www.images.nasa.gov

Norah got her first NASA internship at the NASA Langley Research Center, working on videos and interviews for several projects. Discovering the archives at Langley had the most incredible things- flags, scuba gear! Then Norah got a contact at NASA Ames Research Center for her next internship, and learned how to photograph lasers with mirrors and light source. A brave application later to Johnson Space Center for a full-time photographer position landed her the job that allows her to see everything that happens within the entire center!

Every day's assignment is different at NASA JSC- you never know what's next, so there's lots of fun to be had and lots to learn. Norah set up a baseball field shoot to test the Artemis space suits' movement capabilities! You can see the baseball shot at www.Images.NASA.gov.

"I was taking all of the art classes and I was missing science. I didn't feel challenged the way I wanted to be challenged, so I went to a panel of graduates from all of the photo degrees, and discovered a NASA photographer who talked about his work and the idea of working for NASA was something that got in my brain and that was it for me. I applied to every internship I could!"

"My all-time favorite assignment I got to do it train/ camp with the new astronaut class when they did their required geology studies for a week and I got to camp with them and learn, too!...I set up my camera and got to shoot time-lapse photos of the stars every night. They are called star trails. One of the astronauts that came along was Don Pettit, and we got to talk about star trails from the space station that he saw, and the star trails I was shooting from the Earth from the dessert. It was really cool."

"There were a lot of qualified candidates to choose from when I applied for my position. I asked the person who hired me what shoot out to select me. He said it was my passion and excitement for NASA that allowed me to be selected."

What's next for Norah? Shooting high-speed photography from simulations and tests that need images from some pretty fast photos (think launches, tests and planned explosions)!

Some advice from up and coming artists who may want to work for NASA from Norah:

"There are so many creative opportunities needed here at NASA, like lighting, audio engineers, videographers, producers, it's not just scientists and engineers. Apply for EVERYTHING, it does not matter if you have all the qualifications. And wherever you are, network. It's what got me here. Always be open to talking to people about what you love."

There's no title big enough to hold the accomplishments and aspirations for Taylor Winkelman. What has this woman NOT done? Just read her bio. Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Legislative Assistant. Veterinarian. Army Sergeant. Advocate for space policy in Washington D.C. In general, Taylor works to make our world a better place for all of us. And, in typical Taylor fashion, why stop with the world? Let's bring the benefits of the UNIVERSE- the many benefits that space exploration brings us - available to all. Taylor will lead the way.

I am currently working as a consultant for health security and humanitarian outreach issues in the Washington, DC area. I previously served as a Legislative Assistant in the office of Senator Edward J. Markey, primarily working on foreign relations, military and veterans issues, science and space issues, and global health issues. I also contributed to agriculture, animal rights, and veterinary issues within the context of our office's work. I paid particular attention to humanitarian crises, international development, human rights, the outer space treaty, and global health issues such as cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. I spent six years in the Army as a Cryptologic Voice Intercept Operator, leaving as a Sergeant (E5). I led a team of 12 joint service members working a strategic mission, and a squad of 7 soldiers who worked on other missions. I deployed to Baghdad in support of OIF2. Honorably discharged, I attended Augusta State University in Georgia, double majoring in English and Biology. While there, I completed an Honors Thesis in Organic Chemistry under Dr. Thomas Crute, III, studying the synthesis of Persin (a potential breast cancer drug) and derivatives. I volunteered for the humane society and at the local Pediatric Emergency Room, worked as a freelance journalist, a veterinary technician, and an office assistant and tutor for the Chemistry and Physics Department at ASU. In 2011, I interned at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.I graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine's DVM/MPH program, completing my MPH in Public Health Policy in December 2015 and my DVM in May 2016. I completed a summer externship at the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, summer research on Salmonella in backyard chickens in 2012, and an externship with the AVMA-GRD in Washington, DC in 2014. I went to Uganda with Veterinarians Without Borders in 2016, followed by a stint at the mEpi Lab at Massey University.

It seems like Dan Jacobs was made for his role as the International Relations Manager for NASA's Gateway Program and the International Space Station. Within his NASA career, Dan has found a perfect balance between both space and politics, and that's a good thing.

As a liaison between the scientists and engineers and non-scientists and the general public – Dan works to interpret ideas, then putting them into technical agreements that benefit 19 countries, 240+ astronauts who have traveled to the International Space Station, and the 2,700+ research investigations that the laboratory has completed since 2000.

10 Fun Facts About CineSpace:

1. This year marks the 5th annual competition for Cinespace and in those 5 years, there's been more than 1,700 films submitted
2. More than 55 countries have submitted from around the world!
3. Two people within the competition have seen every single film! Everyone sees some, and everyone judges them.
4. Richard Linkletter is the celebrity judge (from School of Rock) and helps select the winners.
5. Out of 15 finalists, 9 traveled from around the world to come to the award event!
6. Visitors center will soon be showing the films
7. Anyone can make a film- even Beth!
8. There's no rules about subjects, or topics, or genres, so there's films that are narratives, documentaries, comedies, music videos, abstract films, they just have to meet the 10% quantity of including NASA imagery.
9. Some NASA imagery has never been seen, ever- even by the judges!
10. NASA has created an archive that's open to the public and anyone can now see it, and enjoy it, or use it for this film competition!

More information on CineSpace: http://cinespace.org/

CineSpace, a short film competition, is a collaboration between NASA and Houston Cinema Arts Society that offers filmmakers around the world a chance to share their works inspired by, and using, actual NASA imagery

About Dan Jacobs:

Dan Jacobs has lead, managed, and supported negotiations with NASA's Space Station International Partners. Dan has worked to manage international team members at Johnson Space Center and overseas, reviewing numerous agreements to obtain new spacecraft, barter for Space Station modules, provide astronaut flight opportunities, resolve major disagreements, set new policies, and create science cooperation.

The value to the U.S. Government of these agreements totals greater than $9B. As the Executive Liasion to the Greater Houston Partnership, Dan represented NASA/JSC to the City of Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP, equivalent to Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center, and International Trade Organization for Houston), the Texas Medical Center, and innovation/entrepreneurial organizations throughout the city. He helped identify and pursue opportunities for partnership with JSC with new innovation organizations in the fields of medical device technologies, life sciences, robotics and automation, advanced manufacturing, software development and internet of things, all in support of NASA's critical technology needs for future missions.

Dan has created concept for international short film competition of films that use NASA imagery, resulting in the formation of the CineSpace Film competition. This event was designed together partnership with Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) to develop the competition and to screen finalists and winners at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival and film festivals around the country. Academy Award-nominated director Richard Linklater serves as judge and selects the winners, and in the last 5 years since the film competition began, CineSpace has received almost 1600 films from 60 countries.

Beth shares a Casual Space conversation with the incredible Bill Nye! Together, they enjoy:

• Sharing the incredible success story of the Planetary Society's Light Sail 2 (a spacecraft that is still sailing on sunbeams), and why it's such a significant and inspiring citizen-science project, and what it could mean for the future for space travel. (Read more about Light Sail 2 right here in the show notes at the link below)
• Discussing the many ways we can travel to space, but the challenge of getting to space still exists. When Bill Nye travels to space, he's sure to experience THE OVERVIEW EFFECT.
• How we are working to answer the mission of The Planetary Society- to know the cosmos and our place within it.
• An optimistic belief that within our lifetimes, we will find evidence of life on Mars!

About Bill Nye:

Along with serving as CEO of the world's largest independent space interest group, The Planetary Society, Nye is also an internationally renowned and award-winning science educator, television presenter, mechanical engineer, science advocate, and author. He is best known as the host of the PBS children's science show Bill Nye the Science Guy, and for his many subsequent appearances in popular media as a science educator and advocate.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering at Cornell University, Nye spent more than 20 years working as an engineer for the Boeing Corporation, Sundstrand Data Control (now Honeywell), and other engineering firms in the Seattle area. Drawing on his strengths in science and comedy, Nye went on to create, write, produce, and host the Emmy award-winning television show Bill Nye the Science Guy between 1993 and 1998. He continued his work in television with The Eyes of Nye in 2005 and Bill Nye Saves The World in 2017 and 2018. A documentary film about his life's work, Bill Nye: Science Guy, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.

Nye has authored several books, including the New York Times Bestseller Undeniable, Unstoppable, and Everything All at Once. In addition to his many other activities, he travels the world and appears on television on a regular basis, sharing his views on the importance of science and space exploration, and inspiring people of all ages to change the world for the better.

Where to find Bill Nye:

Planetary.org https://www.planetary.org/about/

Science Rules! Podcast: https://www.billnyepodcast.com/

BONUS LINKS AND NOTES FROM THIS CASUAL SPACE CONVERSATION:

About Light Sail 2: https://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/heres-what-we-learned-so-far-ls2.html

Learn more about Light Sail 2 from Planetary Radio's Mat Kaplan on EPISODE 58 of Casual Space! http://bethmund.com/2020/01/23/58-mat-kaplan/

You know that teachers are already an intricate and massively important part of helping to educate (STEAM) and inspire student explorers and curious minds! And while some great PAYLOADS have gone from the classroom to space, it soon will be the TEACHERS TURN TO EXPLORE. This opportunity is way overdue, don't you think?

Liz Kinnick and her team at the Teachers In Space program agrees. So she's working to provide teachers with extraordinary space science experiences and industry connections.

• Liz was on an international flight when she read an article from British Airways inviting Liz to "collect your miles and go to space"… and thus the plans began.
• The Teachers in Space program is a non-for-profit, independent organization, and started as a project of the Space Frontier Foundation, inspired by NASA's Teacher in Space Program.
• In 2008, the Space Frontier Foundation felt like the space sub-orbital programs that were starting should include teachers to be cheaper, safer, more environmentally friendly and does not quite exist yet- you can't fly as a paid passenger YET.
• The first call-out was done by the Space Frontier Foundation and they received 1,100 teacher responses- a lot of a time when there we no flights, and the space shuttle program was about to end with the launch of Endeavor. 7 were selected and several teachers are still with the program. Some were even from NASA Educator Astronaut Trainee program.

WHAT CAN I DO? Go to www.teachers-in-space.com and donate. OR tell your local school/ science museum/ church camp/ educations that there's a place that can provide them resources for students who are interested in space!

More information on Teachers In Space:

www.teachers-in-space.com

Teachers in Space, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization which stimulates student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing their teachers with extraordinary space science experiences and industry connections.

Our professional development workshops for STEM teachers include personal and experimental flight opportunities, hands-on work with data sensors and remote device control, opportunities to meet and interact with scientists and developers at NASA and commercial space companies, and unique teaching materials and design contests to take back to the classroom.

Teachers In Space, Inc. sparks a transfer of passion for space science and exploration from teachers to their students, preparing and encouraging those students to pursue further education and exciting, rewarding careers in the emerging space industry.

www.firefly.com

About Liz: Liz Kennick has directed the Teachers in Space (TIS) program since 2011, initially as a project manager for the Space Frontier Foundation (SFF). In 2014 Liz and her management team incorporated TIS as an educational nonprofit organization in the state of New York.

A member of SFF's Board from 2009-2013, Liz was previously Vice President of Client Technology at Morgan Stanley with a $2M annual budget for 1700 software users. She holds degrees in Information Systems / Operations Analysis, English, and Education and is certified as a Project Management Professional and as a Network Engineer. Liz is co-founder of NYC's Software Process Improvement Network and has produced Yuri's Night NY, a space-themed party for 200+ guests, annually since 2008, and TEDxMidTownNY, as space-themed speaker series, in 2010-2011.

Liz created the Space Frontier Foundation's Business Plan Bootcamp for the 5 finalists in the foundation's 2011 Business Plan Competition, and was a judge at the 2011 SEDS Student Business Plan Competition. She created Escape Guesthouse LLC, a boutique bed and breakfast in Brooklyn, New York in 2006 and sold it in 2013 for 3 times purchase price.

She has flown on ZeroG, experienced centrifuge and hypobaric chamber training, scuba dived to 70 feet, and climbed Cotopaxi, Earth's highest extinct volcano. Liz is a frequent speaker on The Space Show, The Invisible World, Rotary Club and TEDx events, and at conferences such as NewSpace, SpaceVision, Project World and the International Space Development Conference (ISDC). Her 2014 TEDx presentation "Gimme Some Space!" can be seen at: http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/Space-adventures-get-real-Eliza

BONUS NOTES FROM THE SHOW:

• Best thing that's happened in the Teacher in Space program lately? Standing in Texas watching Blue Origin launching their payload! (A CubeSat that they've been working on since 2012!)
• Blue Steel by "Consider the Source" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlkiOYUmzkg