BAERI alumn Taylor Bell has contributed to a new study that rethinks the nature of…
New faces at BAERI: Fall 2021
Join us in welcoming these 13 new folks to BAERI, who are working to study ultracool brown dwarfs, an OpenET project with the Navajo Nation, and plenty of things in between.
Andrian Liem (he/him) — Logistics Manager
Andrian’s role: I am assigned to NASA’s Earth Science Project Office and will be assisting in Logistics and/or as a Deputy Project Manager for the following field science missions: S-MODE, IMPACTS and ACCLIP.
Joined BAERI: August 30th, 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in Oakland, CA and currently live in Santa Clara, CA. Before coming to BAERI I was working as a Logistics Operations Manager for Ravenswood Solutions, a subsidiary of SRI International. Ravenswood is a company that makes training simulation products for the military and first responders. Prior to that I worked at Amazon as an Operations Manager for a delivery station. I also served in the United States Navy working various roles mostly in Operations and Logistics and was deployed/stationed around the world including a 6-year stint in Japan and Italy.
Education: BA in Business Administration from University of Maryland
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I am an aviation enthusiast. Since ESPO mainly supports airborne science missions, I’ll be happy to talk about different aircraft for the missions.
How about a non-work related thing? I love the outdoors. In my free time, you will find me and my wife hiking or cycling at nearby SF Bay Area trails.
Arturo O. Martinez — Research Scientist
Arturo’s role: The main focus of my research will be to create software to get improved contrast in narrow-field speckle imaging (e.g., short exposure imaging) and create algorithms for accurate wide-field speckle imaging.
Joined BAERI: July 1st, 2021
Before BAERI: I was previously a graduate research assistant at Georgia State University working on several different projects involving optical interferometry. The main focus of my PhD was to interferometrically model and image stellar surface features (e.g., large spotted stars and rapidly rotating stars) while additionally working in a laboratory to build an open-air beam propagation interferometer.
Education: I attained my B.S. in Astronomy at San Diego State University in 2015, received a M.S. in Physics at Georgia State University in 2018, and earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy at Georgia State University in 2021.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I would be happy if anyone would like to know more about my work in optical interferometry, interferometric imaging, or speckle interferometry.
How about a non-work related thing? In my spare time, I like to research some of the latest security & privacy software that is available for the general public (especially related to encryption). I don’t claim to be an expert in this, but if anyone would like to learn more about what I use or even recommend other software that I haven’t heard of, I’d be happy to talk.
Ben Lew (he/him) — Research Scientist
Ben’s role: I will be doing data analysis of JWST spectra of ultracool brown dwarfs and protostars.
Joined BAERI: September 1st, 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in Malaysia, and currently live in the Bay Area. Before coming to BAERI I studied the heterogeneous cloud structure in ultracool brown dwarf atmospheres as a PhD student at the University of Arizona.
Education: PhD in planetary science at the University of Arizona; Bachelor Degree in Physics at National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I am looking forward to talking (virtual or in-person) to people about your own research, especially those who study exoplanets, brown dwarfs, and protostars!
How about a non-work related thing? I would love to do some outdoor activities like hiking with BAERI folks
Casey Schine (she/her) — Postdoctoral Oceanographer
Casey’s role: I will be examining patterns of primary production in the North Atlantic, looking specifically to see if we can detect any shifts induced by climate change or changes in circulation in the region.
Joined BAERI: September 15th, 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and currently live in La Honda, California. Before coming to BAERI I was getting my PhD at Stanford (finished this summer) and I was working on understanding patterns of primary production in the Southern Ocean. I was specifically studying a recurring bloom that appears to be fed by iron coming from hydrothermal vents in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean.
Education: I just finished my PhD at Stanford with Kevin Arrigo. I have a master’s degree in Marine Science from the University of South Alabama, where I worked with Ron Kiene. And, I have a Bachelor’s in Biology from Kenyon College.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I could happily talk about the Southern Ocean (physics, chemistry, biology, politics) forever.
How about a non-work related thing? I love to knit! I love all things knitting and yarn related. If there are any other knitters at BAERI I would love to hear from them!
Claire Ricketts (she/her) — Research Associate
Claire’s role: Conduct research regarding Raman and infrared spectroscopy on Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons of relevance to astrophysical and planetary environments.
Joined BAERI: August 1st, 2021
Education: I received my PhD from University College London, and Master’s degree from The University of Manchester, England.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? RamDB; the new NASA Ames Raman spectral database.
How about a non-work related thing? I love exploring California, especially local County/State parks.
Juraj Lörinčík* (he/him) — Research Scientist
*My first name, Juraj, is pronounced as ‘You-rye’. Don’t bother pronouncing the family name, but if needed, you can try ‘Lo-rin-cheek.’
Juraj’s role: I will be studying the atmosphere of the Sun in observations carried
out by the IRIS satellite.
Joined BAERI: October 1 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in a small town called Roznava in south-east of Slovakia, a landlocked country located in the middle of Europe. For the last couple of years I have been living in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Before joining BAERI, I was a PhD student at Charles University in Prague, while carrying-out my research at the Astronomical institute of the Academy of sciences of the Czech Republic.
Education: I just finished a PhD in Theoretical Physics, Astronomy, and Astrophysics at Charles University of Prague. My research has been centered on observations of solar flares and spectroscopy of the solar atmosphere.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I am always excited about new breakthroughs in astrophysics, and this does not apply to solar physics only!
How about a non-work related thing? I adore nature, so I would love some suggestions regarding nice hikes in nearby national parks and nature reserves. I am definitely in for planning some hikes or doing sports with new colleagues. Before the pandemic I used to do indoor-climbing and bouldering.
Krystal N. Sanchez-Castaneda (she/her) — Part-Time Research Assistant
Krystal’s role: As part of the OpenET Navajo Nation case study project, I will be assisting the team by conducting various analyses that may provide valuable information to water managers, farmers and agricultural communities across the Navajo Nation.
Joined BAERI: August 1, 2021
Before BAERI: As a small child, I lived a brief moment in Guatemala with my grandmother and later moved back to California with my parents. Growing up I lived in various places within the Bay Area, Delta, and the Valley. I spent most of my childhood in southern San Jose and a small agricultural town called Los Banos. With the onset of the pandemic, I relocated to a small rural community near Red Bluff in Northern California.
Before becoming part of the BAERI team, I had a variety of occupations that facilitated and supported my academic journey. During my early undergraduate experience, I worked in luxury retail as a sales associate, operational management team member, and visual merchandiser. Towards the end of my undergrad, I became a graduate research assistant and participated in various research projects my academic advisor was involved with. At the same time, I was a CAARE and NCAS-M NOAA research fellow. As a CARRE fellow, I had the privilege to participate in two separate summer internships based at NASA Ames under the wonderful mentorship of Dr. Cindy Schmidt and Dr. Amber McCullum. As an NCAS-M fellow, I was part of a research team studying total and cloud to ground lightning climatology in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Education: I have earned a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology with a concentration in Climate Science and a minor in Sustainable Water Management from San Jose State University. I am working towards obtaining a Masters degree in Environmental Science.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? Exploring the complexities and dynamic interactions between the Earth’s systems has always fascinated me. I love learning and discussing how changes in climatic conditions and land use can affect drought conditions. I love using mapping software like GIS to transform linear plots into scientific digital art in the form of maps that spatially conveys changes in our environment.
How about a non-work related thing? I love all types of outdoor activities and sports. One of my favorite hobbies is hiking. A goal of mine is to visit as many California county, state, and national parks. I have explored many parks in coastal, central, southern Sierra and parts of northern California. If anyone wants to talk about beautiful parks to explore, I’m all ears!
Marika McCarthy (she/her) — Research Scientist
Marika’s role: I am a Sun scientist working at the Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory, and am interested in observations, modeling, and analysis of the solar atmosphere, called the corona.
Joined BAERI: Oct 4, 2021
Before BAERI: I am from Bellevue, WA and currently live in Belmont, CA. Before BAERI, I was a graduate student of Dana Longcope at Montana State in Bozeman MT.
Education: Physics BA from Willamette University (Salem OR), Physics MS and PhD from Montana State University (Bozeman MT)
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I enjoy discussion of coronal loop properties and morphologies.
How about a non-work related thing? I like to jog, especially on trails.
Michael Steven Schroeder Sr. (he/him) — Logistics Manager
Michael’s role: I will be working on various projects and have worked on IMPACTS, DCOTTS and CPEX thus far.
Joined BAERI: July 29, 2021
Before BAERI: I was born and raised in Texas, and I currently live in Fremont, CA with my wife Michelle. Prior to coming to BAERI, I was a warehouse supervisor with MIZUHO OSI where I was responsible for shipping both domestically and internationally of medical devices and the accompanying softwoods required for major surgeries.
Education: I graduated high school from Arlington, TX and almost immediately joined the U.S. Army and continued my education with the University of Maryland and City College of Chicago.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? Logistics — I have been involved in logistics for over 30 years in one form or fashion and love the challenges that it entails.
How about a non-work related thing? My passion outside of work is the B.P.O. Elks. I am currently the District Chairperson for the Bay District Veteran’s Committee.
Nabil Freij (he/him) — Research Software Engineer
Nabil’s role: Supporting the IRIS and AIA scientists with their efforts to do Python software development.
Joined BAERI: September 1, 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in the United Kingdom, with Cambridge and Northampton the two main areas. Currently I live in the Ventura neighborhood in Palo Alto. Before coming to BAERI I was working at the University of Reading as a Software Engineer. I focused on creating a “Software as a Service” product whose goal was to provide customers near-real time calibrated weather data.
Education: I did a Master in Physics at the University of Warwick then went to the University of Sheffield to do a PhD focused on MHD waves on the solar surface.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? Anything Python (or software development) related! How about a non-work related thing? Anything game related – computer, board, card etc.
Sarah Moran (she/her) — Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Sarah’s role: I will be developing, applying, and testing a computer model to study atmospheric clouds and hazes, particularly as fractal aggregate particles, in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets.
Joined BAERI: September 1st, 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and currently live in Baltimore, Maryland. Before coming to BAERI I was finishing my PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, where I performed experiments and ran atmospheric models to study clouds and hazes in Solar System and extrasolar planets.
Education: Bachelor’s in Astrophysics and Science & Public Policy from Barnard College, Columbia University in NYC; and Masters and PhD in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Johns Hopkins University
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I love discussing cloud formation on other planets, particularly regarding cloud condensation nuclei.
How about a non-work related thing? I love science fiction and am always looking for new shows/movies/novels to peruse in my free time.
Taylor James Bell (he/him) — Research Scientist
Taylor’s role: I will be working with Tom Greene on JWST data from the MIRI instrument to characterize the atmospheres of exoplanets.
Joined BAERI: September 20, 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada and I am currently living in Ann Arbor, MI. Before coming to BAERI I was a Ph.D. candidate at McGill University working with Nicolas Cowan on exoplanet atmospheric characterization.
Education: I completed a B.Sc. Honours in Physics at the University of Saskatchewan in May 2016 and a Ph.D. in Physics at McGill University in June 2021.
What work-related thing do you love talking about? I am very interested in exoplanet research in general as well as open-source software development.How about a non-work related thing? I love outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and canoeing, and I am very excited to explore new areas around BAERI if anyone has suggestions.
Tu Phan (he/him) — Mechanical Design Engineer
Tu’s role: Engineering scientific instruments and aircraft-related installations for NASA Airborne Science Program aircraft as part of the NSRC team; I’ll also be a mission detector for NASA ASP missions.
Joined BAERI: July 12, 2021
Before BAERI: I grew up in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, and currently live in Los Angeles, CA. Before coming to BAERI I worked as a mechanical design engineer/software developer at Evoqua Water Technologies.
Education: B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, M.Eng in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology
What work-related thing do you love talking about? Recent trends in engineering e.g. digital twins, CAD automation, AI/robotics, generative design…How about a non-work related thing? Cooking, especially historical/regional cooking techniques, dishes, etc.
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