Space Science Symposium

From the Nanoworld to Space: Paving a Diverse Career Path in STEM

14 November 2023, 3 – 4 p.m. HST

Yajaira Sierra-Sastre
Nanoscientist & Sr. Program Manager
Blue Origin

Dr. Yajaira Sierra-Sastre is a nanomaterials scientist and educator with more than 15 years of R&D experience in academia, industry, and the US federal government. She currently serves as Senior Program Manager at Blue Origin and leads crew mockups development for the MK2 lunar lander program. Prior to joining Blue Origin, Yajaira worked at NASA as engineering project manager for the Mars Sample Return and VIPER rover missions. In this talk, Yajaira shares her journey from nanoscience research to working in the aerospace sector, as well as an overview of the robotics and human spaceflight missions she has worked on.

Building Satellites for Remote Sensing

26 October 2023, 6 – 7 p.m. HST

Amber Imai-Hong
Avionics Engineer
Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory

Ever wonder what satellites do in Hawaiʻi and why we need them? From monitoring volcanoes and coastline erosion to tracking wildfires and the health of our local ecosystems, satellites use remote sensing to help us learn about the Islands and stay prepared for natural disasters. Join Aerospace Engineer Amber Imai-Hong to learn about how scientists and engineers at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) team up to build and fly small satellite missions for the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL). Amber will also share her journey of becoming an engineer as well as opportunities for students at HIGP.

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