I’m the Senior Advocate for Science and Research at the Office of the Director of NASA Langley Research Center. I started my civil service career as a technical business advisor at Langley. Before that, I taught at Penn State DuBois from 2007-2020 when I was promoted to Full Professor of Geoscience.
My passions are Earth and Planetary Science and thinking about strategy and processes.
I wear many hats as a scientist, but the node in the net is Sustainable Exploration of the Solar System. I am fascinated by how we can use minerals to travel in time to the very earliest stages of planetary formation and how we can use them to travel in space — as the means to pave the way to our presence on other planets. I am interested in the materials that will allow civilization to move from Earth into space, namely water-bearing minerals (phyllosilicates), organics, and scarce metals. Coming from a pure science training, I also deeply understand the value these minerals have to shed life on the formation of solar systems.
From a business standpoint, I am a bridge maker and a “people builder.” I enjoy finding different threads and connecting them, thinking about strategic frameworks, finding opportunities for people, mentoring, and building teams.
In terms of personality, I am either an ENTJ or INTJ, depending on the day!
My home is the United States. However, I grew up in the Venezuelan Andes. In my private life, I love good cold brew coffee, baked goods, good conversations (the wonders of hygge), hiking up big mountains, running, swimming, rowing, dancing, traveling, and spending time with my little family. I read a lot – these days mainly through audible ;-). I wish they would let you do one book/week! Some of my recent reads are Team of Rivals (Doris Goodwin), Out of the Mountains (David Kilcullen), and Master of the Senate (Robert Caro).
On Leadership
As an advocate, scientist, and professor, my work has made me independent, structured, curious, energetic, resourceful, persistent, and compassionate.
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