Topics & Keynote Speakers

Dr. Mark Clampin is the Astrophysics Division Director in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The goals of the Astrophysics Division are to understand how the universe works, understand how we got here and to address the question, are we alone?

Until August 2022, Dr. Clampin was the Director of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate (SED) at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) where he led the Astrophysics, Solar System, Heliophysics and Earth Science Divisions, together with the high performance computing office.

Dr. Knicole Colón stands as a distinguished Astrophysicist within NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, situated in Greenbelt, MD. Her role within the realm of space exploration has garnered her significant recognition and responsibility.

Dr. Colón's impactful contributions are perhaps most prominent as the Deputy Project Scientist for Exoplanet Science for the James Webb Space Telescope. In this capacity, she plays a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of exoplanets, opening new avenues of discovery within the vast cosmos. Additionally, she holds the position of Project Scientist for the Pandora SmallSat mission, overseeing its scientific endeavors, and serves as the Project Scientist for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission, further exemplifying her commitment to advancing the field.

Her trajectory of achievement encompasses previous notable roles, including her service as the Deputy Operations Project Scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope, where she contributed to the operations and scientific endeavors of this iconic observatory.

Dr. Jian Ge holds the esteemed position of Director at the Science Talent Training Center, in addition to serving as a Chair Professor of Astronomy at the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His impressive academic and professional journey spans continents and institutions of repute. Dr. Ge's academic foundation was laid with a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Arizona in 1998, building upon a solid base established with a BSc from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1989.

Having previously held the title of Professor of Astronomy at the University of Florida from 2004 to 2020, Dr. Ge's impact has been felt across academic boundaries. Prior to this, he served as an Assistant Professor at Pennsylvania State University from 2000 to 2004. His trajectory also includes a productive phase as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab from 1998 to 2000.

Within the realm of astronomical exploration, Dr. Ge's influence continues to shine. He stands as the Principal Investigator for the ongoing Earth 2.0 space mission, as well as the visionary behind the Dharma Planet Survey. His contributions expand to collaborative endeavors, with active participation in the NASA TESS mission. Dr. Ge has assumed pivotal roles as the Principal Investigator for the MARVELS survey under the SDSS-III program from 2008 to 2014. His instrumental contributions are evidenced through his roles as PI for the TOU, EXPERT, LiJET, and W.M. Keck Exoplanet Tracker optical Doppler instruments, as well as the FIRST near-infrared Doppler instrument.

Dr. Leigh Fletcher, a distinguished figure in the realm of planetary science, holds the esteemed position of Professor at the University of Leicester. His expertise lies in the meticulous study of our Solar System's colossal gas giants, facilitated through a multifaceted approach encompassing robotic spacecraft missions, advanced ground-based astronomical facilities, and cutting-edge space telescopes.

With a foundation rooted in academia, Dr. Fletcher achieved a Natural Science degree from the University of Cambridge, followed by a PhD in Planetary Physics from the University of Oxford. His academic journey has been adorned with significant milestones, including a tenure as a NASA fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a subsequent role as a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. Notably, he held a prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowship (URF) from 2013 to 2020, further cementing his prominence in the field.

Dr. Fletcher's contributions have not gone unnoticed. His exceptional accomplishments earned him the esteemed 2016 Harold C. Urey Prize, an accolade bestowed upon early-career scientists for their remarkable achievements in planetary science. This recognition, conferred by the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society, highlights his dedication and impact.

Dr. Fletcher's involvement in pivotal missions further underscores his significance. He actively participates as a team member in the Cassini mission to Saturn, the Juno and JUICE missions to Jupiter, and consistently champions the exploration of the distant Ice Giants. Currently, he holds leadership over a planetary atmospheres team at the University of Leicester, a venture supported by esteemed institutions including the Royal Society, STFC, and the European Research Council.

Dr. Bin Yang is an Assistant Professor at Diego Portales University in Chile, where her expertise spans a wide spectrum of space science disciplines. Her focus encompasses the exploration of primitive small bodies such as asteroids, comets, and meteorites, shedding light on their origins and compositions. Dr. Yang's research delves into the evolution of our solar system, unraveling its intricate history and development. She is a recognized authority in the field of planet formation and migration, contributing to our understanding of how celestial bodies come into being. Additionally, her passion for astrobiology fuels investigations into the potential for life beyond Earth. Dr. Yang's exceptional contributions have been acknowledged through a series of esteemed honors, including having a minor planet named after him (9723 BinYang). She led a collaborative efforts spanning projects like the survey of water ice features in comets and imaging surveys of the largest main-belt asteroids using VLT/SPHERE.

Dr. Geronimo Villanueva stands as a prominent planetary scientist stationed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. His expertise is centered on the exploration of astrobiology-relevant entities across diverse realms, including Mars, Venus, Ocean Worlds, ancient celestial bodies, and far-flung exoplanets. Within NASA's Solar System Exploration Division, he holds the role of Associate Director for Strategic Science, a position of significant influence.

Dr. Villanueva's leadership spans an array of essential initiatives. As the Principal Investigator of the Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG), he's at the forefront of advancing analytical tools for planetary investigation. In a collaborative capacity, he serves as the Co-Lead Scientist for the Comet Interceptor's MIRMIS instrument, and contributes as a Co-Investigator for the ExoMars/TGO mission. His impact extends even further, with his pivotal role as the leader overseeing Mars and Ocean Worlds studies for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), under the banner of the Giant Telescopes Observations (GTO).

Notably, Dr. Villanueva's contributions have garnered noteworthy accolades. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has immortalized his work by naming minor planet '9724' after him. Additionally, in 2015, the American Astronomical Society (AAS) acknowledged his exceptional achievements with the esteemed Urey Prize, a prestigious recognition reserved for outstanding young planetary scientists.

Mr. Maram Kaire holds the esteemed titles of Systems Engineer and Astronomer. He achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first Senegalese individual to have an asteroid named after him within the solar system. This distinguished honor resulted in the designation of asteroid (35462) as "Maramkaire" by the International Astronomical Union in May 2021.

Beyond this remarkable feat, Mr. Kaire plays pivotal roles in multiple domains. He co-founded and presently presides over the Senegalese Association for the Promotion of Astronomy. Furthermore, he serves as the Managing Director of AFRICASPACE, a company specializing in providing strategic guidance to African nations for the formulation and execution of their space policies. Adding to his remarkable accomplishments, Mr. Kaire recently assumed the role of Director General of the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies.

Mr. Kaire's endeavors span the realms of both scientific and strategic leadership, solidifying his influence in the fields of astronomy, space policy, and technology development.

Dr. Marie-Eve Naud serves as the Coordinator of Scientific Education and Public Outreach at the Trottier Institute for Exoplanet Research. In this capacity, she plays a vital role in conceptualizing and actively participating in various projects aimed at fostering connections between the iREx team and individuals of all age groups, facilitating engaging discussions about our cosmic surroundings. Of particular significance are her contributions to initiatives tailored for children and adolescents.

Dr. Naud takes special pride in her involvement with endeavors like "La petite école de l’espace," designed for families and young explorers aged 3 to 8. She also spearheads the "Exoplanets in the Classroom" initiative, directed towards primary and secondary school students, as well as the dedicated educators who guide them. These projects reflect her commitment to cultivating a fascination for the universe among the younger generation.

Dr. Somaya Saad holds the position of Professor of Astrophysics and Astronomy at the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG). An esteemed member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), she also served as the president of the IAU-National Egyptian Committee from 2018 to 2021. Her academic journey saw her achieve MSc and PhD degrees in astrophysics from Cairo University. Notably, she holds the role of Principal Investigator for two scientific projects, fostering collaboration between the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) and the Czech Academy of Science.

Her research primarily delves into the realm of stellar astrophysics, specializing in the physics of hot and emission line stars, as well as stellar variability. A significant accomplishment in her career was her pivotal contribution to establishing the Kottamia Center of Scientific Excellence in Astronomy and Space Sciences (KCScE) in 2013. This institution, funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), stands as a testament to her dedication to advancing the field.