Dr. Heath Mills (Co-I): Dr. Heath J. Mills is an extreme environment microbial
ecologist with academic degrees from Duke University and the Georgia Institute of Technology and has held two faculty positions at Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. As the current Chief Scientific Officer for Rhodium Scientific, he leads initiatives to expand terrestrial and space research capacities into the advanced commercial biotechnology sector. Dr. Mills has been Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on over 20 International Space Station science and engineering missions. Recently, Mills is on the Advisory Board for GEN-Space, Schull Institute, and was appointed to the ISS National Laboratory User Advisory Committee as the
Chair of the Technology Development Subcommittee.

Dr. Laura E. Fackrell (PI): Dr. Laura E. Fackrell is the Astrobotany and Agritech
Department Lead at Rhodium Scientific. Dr. Fackrell is a geochemist and geomicrobiologist specializing in space biology and astrobiology applications. Her current research focuses on advancing sustainable agriculture and related biotechnologies for both Earth and space. Dr. Fackrell has more than seven years of research experience in space agriculture and has led multiple publications in regolith simulant development and best practices for regolith-based agriculture research. She has designed several regolith simulants for agricultural research. As a postdoctoral fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, Dr. Fackrell led publications on designing applications for agriculture, waste processing, and recovery, and
analyzing related microbiomes for closed off-world systems

Rhodium Scientific: https://www.rhodiumscientific.com/

A native of Orofino, Idaho, Shane had an early interest in wine and agriculture which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Enology and Viticulture from Washington State University. Throughout his college years Shane worked in various winery cellars and upon graduation he decided to take his passion abroad. Shane spent three years gaining international winemaking experience in Canada, Western Australia and Israel’s Golan Heights. Shane met his wife while working in Australia’s Margaret River and in 2011 the pair made their way to her native Sonoma County. At that time, Shane joined the Jackson Family Wines winemaking team as an enologist, where he focused on cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the best vineyard sites in California. 

Shane’s skill and passion was evident, and in 2013 he was offered the opportunity to move to Willamette Valley to build the winemaking program for the newly-established Gran Moraine winery. Since relocating and assuming his new role, Shane has worked hand-in-hand with General Manager Eugenia Keegan and Vineyard Director Ken Kupperman in both the winery and vineyard. Shane was named Winemaker at Gran Moraine in 2016.

Undergraduate Education:
B.S., Oenology, University of Agronomy and Veterinary Sciences, Iasi, Romania

Graduate Education:
Ph.D., Oenology, Brock University, St. Catherine's, Canada
M.S., Agricultural Management, University of Agronomy and Veterinary Sciences, Iasi, Romania

Areas of Expertise:
Enology
Sensory Science

Professional Summary:
Dr. Botezatu received her honors bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, majoring in Oenology from the University of Agronomy and Veterinary Sciences ‘Ion Ionescu de la Brad’, Iasi, Romania in 2000 and her master’s degree in Agricultural Management from the same University in 2001. From 2000 until 2006, she worked as a commercial wine maker in Europe and Canada. She obtained her PhD in Oenology in 2013 from Brock University in St. Catharine’s, Ontario, Canada where she then held a postdoctoral position from 2013-2015.

In 2017, Andreea joined the faculty of the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University, as Assistant Professor and Extension Enology Specialist. Her mission is to service the Texas winemaking industry through applied research as well as through developing educational opportunities for current and prospective winemakers.

Dr. Botezatu’s previous work focused on wine aroma compounds and wine faults remediation, with a focus on methoxypyrazines and ladybug taint. Her approach was both from a chemical perspective as well as one from sensory evaluation.

Currently, Andreea is directing her research towards solving wine quality issues associated with hot climate winemaking, such as low TA, high pH, wine color instability and microbiological instability. Her interest continues to focus on chemical as well as sensory aspect as they relate to wine quality. Texas wine consumer attitudes and sustainability in the wine industry are also areas of interest for Dr. Botezatu’s research.

Visit the Texas Viticulture & Enology Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/TXViticulture
Visit the Enology YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/@UC5Oo5L0jMLR57IuUb0XmBxQ 
Check out The Wine Lab Podcast - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519422
All Publications
View publications on Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5IhZFcQAAAAJ&hl=en

Aidan Souder is currently a Senior majoring in Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University. Throughout his undergraduate studies, he has set out to explore a wide range of topics in horticulture. Some of his favorites include research in genetic engineering, courses in controlled environments, work in horticultural therapy, and internships related to the ornamental horticulture sector. Additionally, he is currently working with Dr. Amit Dhingra on an undergraduate research project in grape genetics. After an award-winning product development internship at Ball FloraPlant, Aidan has decided to pursue a master's degree in Horticultural Sciences with an emphasis on ornamental production. He is thankful for his time at A&M, which has allowed him to spend the past 4 years finding his passion in horticulture.

Hikari Skabelund graduated with her bachelor’s in plant science at Utah State University. There she worked at the Crop Physiology Lab under the guidance of Dr. Bruce Bugbee and his graduate students where she assisted on projects including but not limited to far-red lighting and hydroponic systems. Hikari endeavored into a direct PhD program at Texas A&M university A&M University in 2023, under the amazing Dr. Shuyang Zhen. Here she mainly focuses on enhancing crop growth and stress tolerance under lunar regolith and other environmental conditions for sustainable food production in extraterrestrial systems. Outside of research Hikari serves as a Plant the Moon Challenge committee advisor and loves TAing for HORT 202 and floral design.

Dr. Masabni earned his PhD in 1998 at Michigan State University. He joined the University of Kentucky in 2002 as the fruit and vegetable specialist. In 2008, he joined the department of Horticultural Sciences as the Extension Vegetable Specialist. His service appointment extends to homeowners, beginning farmers, County Extension Agents, and Master Gardeners. He conducts research and demonstration trials to meet the needs of urban agriculture production in high tunnels or in hydroponics/aquaponics. He develops online and printed materials for vegetable organic and conventional producers and homeowners, he hosts workshops and conferences and assists county extension agents in serving Texas clienteles.

Dr Masabni's YouTube Channel:  @VegetableDoctor ​

A graduate of Southwest Texas State University with a B.S. in Industrial Arts (1982), Troy Swift began his professional career in composite canoe and kayak manufacturing and repair, as well as aluminum and steel welding, instruction, and guiding. He later joined CFAN, a manufacturer of composite jet engine parts for GE engines, where he served from 1990 to 2016, ultimately holding the position of Manufacturing Manager. During this time, he achieved 6 Sigma Supplier Blackbelt (statistics and problem solving) and trained in Lean Manufacturing. In parallel with his industrial career, Troy developed a deep involvement in pecan farming. Since acquiring and developing 266 combined acres along the San Marcos River in 1998 and 2004, he has planted over 1,000 irrigated pecan trees now in full production. He has operated a custom pecan harvesting business since 2000 and runs a pecan lumber sawmill and kiln operation established in 2011. His commitment to quality and innovation has
earned him state championships in the Texas Pecan Show (2018 and 2022). A recognized leader in the pecan industry, Troy has served as President of both the Texas Pecan Growers Association and the Texas Pecan Board. He is also a board member of Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation, where he is involved in research using DNA analysis of bat guano to study natural pest control in pecan orchards. He has been an avid participant in Texas Pecan Shows since 2013, and the State Champion in commercial pecans in 2018 and 2022. He has been involved in pecan lumber sawmill and kiln operation since 2011 and is a regenerative agriculture and associated science advocate/student. He has a continuous improvement attitude: if you’re standing still- you’re getting passed up. Continuous improvement is necessary for all industry (including the pecan industry). We must explore new business models and technologies to stay ahead of the competition and meet customer expectations. We must find more cost-effective environmentally favorable farming techniques, produce more nutritious foods, and develop better food safety and employee safety techniques to stay in business. Currently in 6 year regenerative agriculture study conducted by the Noble Research Institute.

Website: https://www.swiftriverpecans.com/about-us

Stephan von Rundstedt is the co-founder of RoBo®Tec PTC GmbH and brings over 25 years of experience across the production and services industries. His expertise lies in business strategy and the development of innovative deep-tech solutions to sustainably transform agricultural production.

With RoBo®Cut, a robot for fully autonomous in-vitro plant propagation, he and his wife and business partner, Friederike von Rundstedt, have taken steps to address our most pressing global challenges in environmental protection and food security.

Website: https://www.robotec-ptc.com/en/

Ockert Greyvenstein joined Ball Horticultural Company, in 2014 as plant breeder with PanAmerican
Seed. A transplant from South Africa, he came to the US for graduate school, first earning his master's at Cornell, followed by a Ph.D. in plant breeding from Texas A&M University in 2013. Currently, he is the Regional Breeding Director based in Elburn, IL, overseeing breeding operations in Illinois and Costa Rica with projects ranging from Angelonia to Zebra-striped tomatoes. During his time with Ball he bred several crops including Viola, Vinca, Cuphea, cut-flower Delphinium, and a few others. His expertise is in breeding, and applied research. 

Ball Horticulture: https://www.ballhort.com/

Brad Abrameit is a 1994 and 1996 graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. and M.S. in Horticulture. He is the President at Magnolia Gardens Nursery. Brad leads all functions of the container(165 acres) and tissue culture division (20 acres), both strategically and tactically. He is charged with stabilizing, professionalizing, and preparing the business for growth. He is an executive leader bringing 27+ years of experience in the horticulture industry to the forefront, driving strategic initiatives and have propelled the company to consistent growth. A proven track record of successful launches and market expansion, recognized for fostering a collaborative environment that empowers teams to innovate and deliver exceptional results.

Magnolia Gardens: https://magnoliagardens.com/

Jim Antwerp is a 1990 graduate of Texas A& M University with a B.S. in Horticulture with a study emphasis in horticulture of Wholesale Nursery Management and Production and a study emphasis outside horticulture in Business. Having a horticulture career that began with home gardening in youth, working later as nursery labor and subsequently rising in Nursery Management, he has served as Vice President at Flower wood Nursery Inc and currently at Greenleaf Nursery which are two large
woody ornamental nursery operations. Both of these companies are family owned and have celebrated their 75th anniversary of operation and counting.