MEET THE team

EVENTS & ENGAGEMENT LEAD

William holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from UTRGV. A lifelong space enthusiast, he has shared his passion through organizations such as the National Space Society.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST

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EVENTS TEAM MEMBER

Fernanda is a student at Pace Early College High School with interests in health science and engineering. She is dedicated to serving her community and empowering youth throughout Brownsville.

EVENTS TEAM MEMBER

Marieli is a student at Pace Early College High School with a passion for aerospace engineering. She serves as editor-in-chief of her school’s yearbook and has competed in engineering through SkillsUSA at the district and state levels.

EVENTS TEAM MEMBER

Massi is a senior at Veterans Memorial ECHS and an aspiring aerospace engineer with a passion for space and rockets. Through STARS, he served as Operations and Recovery Lead for LAUNCHPAD, helping launch a 12-foot rocket. He also serves on the Brownsville Youth Advisory Board and as co-captain of his varsity swim team. Outside of STEM, he enjoys hiking, traveling and finding good food.

EVENTS TEAM MEMBER

Isabel Estrella Sanchez is a UTRGV Alumni and Software Engineer Specialist. She has an affinity for Astronomy and giving back to her community. On her down time she loves playing with her schnauzer, making music, and stargazing.

MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

Marcelina is an experienced storyteller with a background in government, higher education and research. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and specializes in digital media, design, photography and videography.

DESIGN & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Mykel studies music technology, computer science and mass communications at UTRGV. He is a graphic designer for Pulse Magazine and previously served as a photographer and online editor for The Rider Newspaper.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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MEDIA SPECIALIST

Greysi is a UTRGV graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is experienced in photography, videography, social media and sales and owns a photography and videography business serving the Rio Grande Valley.

ASTROPHOTOGRAPHER

Jesus is a University of Houston graduate with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a concentration in Roman archaeology. He currently works at Texas State University and plans to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in physics with a concentration in astrophysics.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Santiago studies broadcast communications at UTRGV and works as a freelance photographer. He previously served as editor-in-chief of the Pace Early College High School yearbook and competed in photography at regional and state competitions.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Vicky is a senior at Los Fresnos High School with a passion for photography, videography and visual storytelling. She is an active member of her school’s media team, where she helps film football games and other events throughout the district.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UTSA and works as a behavior technician supporting children with autism. Her lifelong curiosity and passion for astronomy inspire her to continue learning and sharing her knowledge with others.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

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ENGINEERING MENTOR

Sabian studies mechanical engineering at UTRGV with a passion for aerospace systems. He serves as engineering design officer for the Rocket Launchers Club and conducts research at UTRGV’s Aerospace Research Center.

PROGRAMS ADVISOR

Jaqueline is an undergraduate at Stanford University studying Earth systems. She previously served with the Stanford Student Space Initiative’s Rockets Team and helped develop the curriculum and original concept for STARS Launchpad.

BOARD CHAIR & CO-FOUNDER

Victor is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and advocate for space exploration and STEM education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Texas A&M University and works as an Agile Software Development Coordinator.

BOARD TREASURER

Moises is a managing partner at Gomez, Fragoso & Associates CPAs in Brownsville with 50 years of accounting and tax experience. An avid Trekkie, he is active in the community and serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

BOARD MEMBER

Phil is a community builder, technologist and science communicator based in Brownsville. With a background in nonprofit development and event organization, he works to make astronomy more accessible to students and underserved communities.

BOARD MEMBER

EJ is an educator and lifelong astronomy enthusiast dedicated to sharing the wonders of the cosmos and encouraging people of all ages to look up, explore and connect with the universe.

BOARD MEMBER

Stephanie is a certified Texas Master Naturalist and NASA Solar System Ambassador who shares the wonders of space with the community. She also serves as a Project WILD Facilitator Trainer in wildlife education.

BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Greg Garcia serves as president of the RGV Science Association and is a former educator and longtime advocate for science education in the Rio Grande Valley

FOUNDER & STEM EDUCATOR

Carol is a retired educator who taught students from pre-K through college during her 40-year career. Her passion for astronomy grew through the American Astronomical Society’s AASTRA program and her service as a NASA Solar System Educator and Ambassador.

UTRGV Liason

Mario is a UTRGV physics professor and director of the Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy and Cristina Torres Memorial Observatory. He is also a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.

PLANETARIUM ARCHITECT

Tim is a retired architect with a lifelong passion for astronomy and science education. A longtime member of the International Planetarium Society, he has helped design and build science centers and planetariums across the country.

K-12 STEM EDUCATOR

Lucero is a science teacher at J.T. Canales Elementary School in Brownsville. Inspired by the NASA Liftoff Summer Institute in 2023, she became a NASA Solar System Ambassador in 2024.

UTRGV LIASON

Vikki is program coordinator for UTRGV’s South Texas Space Science Institute, where she supports outreach, public science events and educational programming through the Department of Physics and Astronomy.