Lunch and Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Wednesday August 23, 2023

Dr. James Garvin
Chief Scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

Dr. James B. Garvin is the Chief Scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Principal Investigator of the DAVINCI mission to Venus.

As Goddard Chief Scientist, Garvin works with Center leaders and a large cadre of scientists to advance understanding of the Earth and its life-sustaining environment and of the Sun and how its changes affects the Earth; investigate planets and moons in the solar system; and observe the wider universe beyond. Goddard has a budget of over $4.0 billion a year and represents about 50% of Agency science activities. GSFC is NASA’s premier science Center with over 500 civil servants and 2,000 supporting scientific staff. Dr. Garvin has an impact on the success of each science program at GSFC including his leadership of the newly selected DAVINCI mission to Venus, and his catalytic roles at the boundaries of scientific disciplines.

Dr. Garvin was appointed a Senior Technical (ST) scientist in 2001 (and NASA’s first chief scientist for Mars). For over 38 years, he excelled in positions of scientific leadership including: GSFC Chief Scientist, Co-Investigator on Mars InSight Lander and Mars Curiosity Rover missions, lead scientist for NASA Headquarters Mars Program Planning Group that selected the Mars 2020 rover mission, science investigator on Canadian Space Agency’s Radarsat series of missions in Earth sciences for 25+ years, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission Associate Project Scientist, OSIRIS-REx New Frontiers mission to asteroid Bennu supporting scientist, and Chairman of the Administrator’s Decadal Planning Team, as well as NASA’s first chief scientist for Mars Exploration.

Dr. Garvin holds a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics/computer science from Brown University (Magna Cum Laude; elected to Phi Beta Kappa) (1978), a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University (1979), and a Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D.) in geological sciences from Brown University (1984). He has published over 110 peer reviewed scientific papers and appeared as a guest on Late Night with David Letterman (CBS TV) in January of 2004.

Garvin received several prestigious awards, including: two NASA Outstanding Leadership Awards (2002, 2004); three Presidential Rank Awards (2005, 2014, and 2019); over 14 NASA Honor Awards, multiple Group Achievement awards, special recognition by the Administrator for work with NASA’s Mars Exploration Program (2012), and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission definition (2015); and the William Rogers Award, Brown University’s highest award for achievement in raising social consciousness (2004).

As Principal Investigator of the DAVINCI mission to Venus, he leads a team of women and men across the USA, with over 2000 colleagues supporting the June 2029 launch of the mission, which is the first by NASA to Venus’ atmosphere and surface since 1978. In addition, he is promoting new studies of the impact cratering record on Earth via topographic remote sensing, investigating recent ocean island volcanic eruptions (e.g., Tonga), and developing concepts for next-generation radar remote sensing of the Moon and Mars. His recent paper about DAVINCI can be found here: Revealing the Mysteries of Venus: The DAVINCI Mission – IOPscience

Lunch Session Speakers

Monday, August 21, 2023

Michelle Thaller
Science Directorate Liaison to the Office of Communication
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. Michelle Thaller is an astrophysicist with over two decades of science communication experience. Her research involves the lifecycles of stars, and she has worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Headquarters and the Goddard Space Flight Center, where she is currently the liaison between the Office of Communication and the Science Directorate. Outside her work at NASA, she has appeared in many television science programs, including How the Universe Works and Space’s Deepest Secrets. Michelle has done two TEDx talks about astronomy and has hosted the podcast Orbital Path on public radio.

 

 

 

Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Shaun Thomson
Lead Thermal Engineer for James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Shaun is a Senior Thermal Engineer with the Thermal Engineering Branch (Code 545) at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).  He has worked at GSFC for 30 years and spent the last 18 years working on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST);  with the latter 10 years as the JWST Thermal Lead.  Prior to JWST, Shaun supported several NASA programs, including TRMM, HST replacement instruments, REFLEX, and UARS.  He currently is supporting the DAVINCI program and its goal of sampling the Venus atmosphere using a descent vehicle (launch 2029).  Outside of work, Shaun enjoys time with family and hobbies of traveling, scuba diving, and WMA/HEMA (martial arts).

 

 

 

Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Dr. Bhanu Sood
Deputy Center Chief Technologist
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. Bhanu Sood manages Goddard’s Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program, which strategically invests in advanced technologies for NASA’s future missions. He brings to the post extensive experience with flight projects, developing and deploying large engineering operations, policy development and risk management. He is a recognized expert in microelectronics reliability, rapidly evolving space technology landscape, small satellite technology and manufacturing, and engineering for a variety of NASA’s mission risk classes.

His other roles within NASA have included Division Chief Engineer, Program Manager for the Goddard Standards Program, Program Manager for Agency Workmanship Program and Goddard Center Ambassador – NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities (NSTGRO).

Dr. Sood has authored several hundred conference papers, presentations, and technical reports; six book chapters; and 32 peer-reviewed scholarly and technical manuscripts. He is a member of the editorial board of Surface Mount Technology Journal, chairs the education committee within the American Society of Metals (ASM), is the IEEE Region 2 Humanitarian Activities Coordinator, and actively volunteers in a leadership role in technical program committees and standards development activities within SAE, ASM, IEEE, and IPC. He holds a doctorate in electronics reliability, master’s degrees in metallurgy and materials science, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Thursday, August 24, 2023
Donya Douglas-Bradshaw
Project Manager of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) Capture Containment & Return System (CCRS)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Donya Douglas-Bradshaw, a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the University of Maryland, has worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for over 30 years. She began in the thermal engineering group where she worked on ST-5. She also notably served as the project manager for the ATLAS instrument that flies aboard NASA’s ICESat-2 satellite and as the project manager on the Lucy project. Currently she is the project manager for CCRS (Capture  Containment and Return System), Goddard’s role in the Mars Sample Return Mission.

Douglas-Bradshaw has received numerous awards in recognition of distinguished achievement and outstanding leadership, and has been featured in national publications such as Upscale Magazine and Black Enterprise. She was also listed as one of THEGRIO.COM Top 100 History Makers in the Making.

She continues to be an advocate for greater female and minority representation in the space industry, and has served as chair of NASA Goddard’s Women’s Advisory Committee. She also remains involved in education and outreach programs. Such activities are in line with a motto that is close to her heart: to whom much is given, much is required.