Information

2024-2025 Conference

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ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·ÌýWoAA’s 2025 ConferenceÌýwill be taking place onÌýMarch 8th, 2025.ÌýThis event will count towards 2 club attendances. This will take place in the Smead Aerospace Building on East Campus, and our theme of the year is "Find Your Place in Aerospace." We will have sessions that involve habitats in space, space law, space resources, and more!Ìý

Conference ¸é±ð²µ¾±²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô:Ìý

Registration closes on Friday Feb. 28th
If you are interested in coming, fill out the registration link Ìý
Registration is free, and food and drink will be provided. Please dress business casual.

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Conference Schedule

Schedule

10:00am-10:45am

Keynote Speaker!

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Image of Dr. Michelle Minitti
Dr. Michelle Minitti:

ÌýDr Michelle Minitti earned her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering and her Sc.M. and Ph.D. in Geological Sciences. Her early career research focused on laboratory investigations of the Martian meteorites and their context in Mars remote sensing and landed datasets. She is currently a member of the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) and Mars 2020 (Perseverance) science teams. On Curiosity, Minitti is Deputy Principal Investigator of the MAHLI investigation, and a Co-Investigator on the Mastcam and MARDI investigations. On Perseverance, Minitti is a Co-Investigator on the SHERLOC investigation. She is primed for lunar exploration as a Co-Investigator on the Heimdall investigation, which is slated to land on the Moon via one of NASA’s commercial lunar lander missions.

11:00am-11:45am

Varying STEM Careers (Panel)

A multi-engineering panel brings together experts from diverse engineering disciplines to share insights on their specialties. Each panelist contributes their unique perspective, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and problem-solving. This format promotes knowledge exchange, highlights cutting-edge developments, and inspires new approaches to engineering projects.

Non-Engineering Careers (Panel)

This panel highlights the vital roles of non-engineering professionals in the space and aerospace industries, including the impact that artists, photographers, and authors have. Participants will learn about the diverse career pathways available and the transferable skills that can lead to success.Ìý

Habitats in Space (Talk)

This session explores the design, engineering, and sustainability challenges of creating livable habitats for humans in space. Solutions for environmental control, construction, and resource management may be discussed. It offers a glimpse into the future of human presence beyond Earth.

12:00pm-12:45pm

Negotiating a Job and Understanding What Makes You Employable

This talk focuses on strategies for navigating the job market, from identifying your unique value to successfully negotiating job offers. Attendees gain insights into resume building, interview preparation, and salary discussions. The goal is to empower participants to confidently showcase their skills and secure their ideal roles.Ìý

Skylar Jeseritz’s Talk

Skylar Jeseritz delivers an engaging presentation on her experiences and insights, covering topics such as career development, groundbreaking projects, and lessons learned in the space industry. Her talk inspires audiences with a blend of personal stories and professional expertise. Attendees leave with practical takeaways for their own journeys.

Space Resources

This session delves into the exploration and utilization of extraterrestrial resources, such as water, minerals, and energy, to support future space missions. The speaker may discuss the technological, economic, and ethical aspects of resource extraction in space. It highlights how these developments could revolutionize human exploration and settlement.

1:00pm-1:45pm

Lunch

2:00pm-2:45pm

Space Law (Talk)

This panel examines the legal frameworks governing space activities. The speaker will explore how evolving policies shape the future of space exploration. The discussion emphasizes the balance between innovation and responsible use of outer space.

What It’s Like to Be a Grad Student

Graduate students share their firsthand experiences, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of advanced study. Attendees gain a realistic perspective on what to expect in graduate school.

Air and Spacecraft Panel

This panel showcases advancements in air and spacecraft design, development, and operations. Industry experts discuss cutting-edge technologies and their implications for exploration and transportation. The session emphasizes collaboration and innovation in creating the future of aviation and space travel.

3:00pm-4:00pm

Networking and Booths

WoAA 2025 Conference Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michelle Minitti

Dr. Michelle Minitti earned her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering and her Sc.M. and Ph.D. in Geological Sciences. Her early career research focused on laboratory investigations of the Martian meteorites and their context in Mars remote sensing and landed datasets. She is currently a member of the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) and Mars 2020 (Perseverance) science teams. On Curiosity, Minitti is Deputy Principal Investigator of the MAHLI investigation, and a Co-Investigator on the Mastcam and MARDI investigations. On Perseverance, Minitti is a Co-Investigator on the SHERLOC investigation. She is primed for lunar exploration as a Co-Investigator on the Heimdall investigation, which is slated to land on the Moon via one of NASA’s commercial lunar lander missions.Ìý

Image of Dr. Michelle Minitti

Taryn Tucker (BAE Systems)

Taryn Tucker graduated with her bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Colorado School of Mines in 2021, and her master's degree in mechanical engineering in 2022. Her master's degree area of study was mechanics of materials, material analysis, and manufacturing. Taryn spent 3 years working for Sierra Space (formerly Sierra Nevada Corporation) on the Dream Chaser program in a number of roles during her college career and found her passion for stress analysis through this role. Taryn currently works for BAE Systems INC. (formerly Ball Aerospace) as a structural analyst on a number of civil and Department of Defense Programs. Taryn is very passionate about expanding access for women interested in aerospace and loves to work with organizations such as WOAA and SWE whenever possible.

Image of Taryn Tucker. Brown hair, medium height, fair skin, brown eyes.

Dr. Tami Katz (BAE Systems)

Dr. Tami Katz is a Senior Principal Systems Engineer at BAE Systems, Inc., located in Colorado, USA. Dr. Katz is certified as an International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP) and has a Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering from Colorado State University.Ìý

Dr. Katz is active in the INCOSE community, serving as Director of Technical Operations, and previously as co-chair of the INCOSE Requirements Working Group.ÌýÌý

During her career, Dr. Katz has worked in systems and test engineering of space vehicles, performing a range of activities from design, requirements development, verification, validation, test, functional management as well as technical leadership. Dr. Katz is also an adjunct professor with the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ· Engineering Management Program, providing course instruction on Digital Engineering & Model-Based Systems Engineering, and Requirements, Verification & Validation.Ìý

Image of Dr. Tami Katz. Light brown hair. blue silk shirt.

Baylee Burton (Sci-Fi Author)

Baylee Burton is a published space sci-fi author and a student at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she is a junior in Aerospace Engineering and concurrently earning her Masters in Engineering Management through Lockheed Martin’s partnership program. She released her first children’s chapter book, Animal Galaxies: Canine Conundrum, in May 2024 and is currently working on her second book. Baylee's unique path highlights how creativity and technical knowledge can coexist in shaping the aerospace industry.Ìý

Image of Baylee Burton. Medium height. Blond hair. Holding a book.

Barbra Sobhani (COSGC, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·)

Barbra Sobhani is the State Director for the Colorado Space Grant Consortium (COSGC), based at the University of Colorado Boulder. COSGC provides students with the opportunity to do research and hands-on projects in space. She holds degrees in physics, geophysics, and biology. She has taught a wide array of college courses during her career, from astrobiology to robotics. Her non-traditional career path has included being faculty, Honors Program Director, and Academic Dean. In addition to her academic career, she is also an accomplished artist and naturalist.ÌýÌýÌý

Image of Barbra Sobhani. Blond hair. Wearing a black blazer and a star themed shirt.

Matthew DeWitt (Astrophotographer)

Matt DeWitt is an astrophotographer based in Boulder, Colorado, with nearly a decade of experience. He specializes in hosting private workshops in Moab, Utah, where he teaches participants how to capture stunning images of the Milky Way. Matt has guided many enthusiasts in exploring astrophotography across various locations, including the Outer Banks, North Carolina, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Washington. Passionate about connecting people with the wonders of the night sky, he aims to inspire others to appreciate and photograph celestial beauty under dark skies.Ìý

Dr. Stephanie Boyce (Blue Origin)

Dr. Boyce is the manager of the Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) team for Blue Origin’s future space station, Orbital Reef. She is an industry professional with 5 years of human spaceflight hardware experience and 7 years in consumer products R&D.Ìý

She earned her B.S. from Virginia Tech, M.S. and Ph.D. from Penn State, with all degrees in Materials Science and Engineering. She jumped into human space flight hardware by leveraging her subject matter expertise in ionomer membranes for water recovery at Paragon Space, where she spent 4 years prior to joining Blue Origin in 2024. At Paragon, Stephanie led operational support for the Brine Processor Assembly (BPA) on the ISS, and concurrently served as an Engineering Department Manager. Dr. Boyce has a unique combination of business, manufacturing, R&D, and management experience that lend well to her role as a ECLS Manager at Blue Origin, overseeing hardware development to keep people alive in space!Ìý

Image of Dr. Stephanie Boyce. Brown hair. Floral shirt.

Brooke Nelson (ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú´«Ã½ÎÄ»¯×÷Æ·)

Brooke is a Senior Career Advisor working with students in the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences. She is passionate about coaching students through career milestones, helping them develop lifelong skills, and guiding them to meaningful work they’ll love. Brooke was born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, and remains a diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan to this day. She went on to the University of Arkansas where she earned a BA in English before completing her MA in higher education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Throughout her time on campus, Brooke has held roles in Disability Services and Academic Advising. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, exploring all the sites and scenes of Colorado and spending time with her fur-baby, Murphy.Ìý

Image of Brooke Nelson. Average height. Dirty blonde hair. Wearing a blue shirt.

Skylar Jeseritz (Space Lab Technologies)

Skylar Jeseritz holds a master’s degree in Bioastronautics and a certificate in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. With a background in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering, Skylar is passionate about human spaceflight and dedicated to advancing this dynamic field. Currently at Space Lab Technologies, a Boulder-based startup, Skylar contributes to the development of a plant growth chamber designed for the lunar surface, aiming to support sustainable human exploration. With a commitment to innovation, Skylar is excited to be part of a generation making significant strides in space life science research. For more information about Space Lab and the project I am working on: .Ìý

Image of Skylar Jeseritz. Medium height. Long brown hair. Wearing a black shirt.

Previous Conferences

WoAA Conference 2023: First Take Off. Bringing together students interested in aerospace to help them grow professionally, academically, and technically

Join us at the University of Colorado Boulder where theÌýWomen of Aeronautics and Astronautics (CU WoAA) will be hosting theirÌýfirst ever conference!Ìý

**Please only reserve one ticket under your name. Any additional tickets should be reserved under the additional person's name and e-mail.**

Saturday, October 7th, 2023 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Aerospace Engineering Science Building!

This conference is intended to open up the doors for students to grow professionally, academically, and technically through workshops, discussions, and networking events! Scroll down to see more information on the different sessions we are hosting at the conference! Registration to this conference is FREE and open to all CU students, surrounding WoAA orgs, and high school students. To stay up to date with the conference make sure to come back to this page and or follow us on Instagram @cuwoaa!

If you are interested in volunteering please reach out to us at woaa@colorado.edu.

Conference Program

Conference Program part 1
Conference Program part 3