Our Team

 
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Katherine Auld, PhD - Board Chair & Founder

  • I was sitting in Ms. Janie Johnson’s 6th grade class watching a live broadcast of a Space Shuttle launch. After listening to the roar of the rockets, I vividly remember thinking “I want to do THAT!!!” While the desire to be an astronaut has never left me, it took 22 years for life to lead me to space exploration.... except now I am doing the research to support exploration of Mars.

  • In my spare time I enjoy the hiking and outdoor photography. In my quiet moments I read and crochet.

    I have an avid fascination with the interconnected nature of science. None of us, no living thing, exists in a vacuum. Each of us requires so many intricate connections to land, water, and air. Take any one of those away; pollute or interrupt it, and the entire system of Earth gets sick. Studying science gives me an avenue to explore those connections.

  • Education:

    PhD Space and Planetary Sciences - 2014

    MS Geology - 2006

    BS Geology - 2003

    Organizations:

    Boy Scouts of America

    Rotary

    Service to community:

    Scout leader, advisor, and merit badge counselor 2007 - present

    Sugar Creek Astronomical Society 2012-2016

    NWA Space and Science Center 2014 - present

    NASA Solar System Ambassador 2015 - present

    NASA Community College Network 2022 - present

    Activation Astronomy Ambassador (NASA/Seti) - 2022

    In 2003 Katherine completed a Bachelor of Science in geology. In 2006 she received a Master of Science in geology by examining crater types on the martian surface. Knowing that she did not want to work in petroleum, Katherine then pursued more education. She received her PhD in Space and Planetary Science with an emphasis in martian geomorphology in 2014 by studying gullies on Mars. She published articles in Planetary and Space Science, a European journal. Katherine also contributed a chapter to a special issue published by the Geological Society of London.

    Katherine works at NorthWest Arkansas Community College where she serves as Science Department Chair, Associate Professor of Astronomy and advisor for the Astronomy Club.

    Katherine has served as a Solar System Ambassador with NASA since 2015. In this capacity she speaks at libraries and public schools sharing about current NASA missions.

    As an Astronomy Activation Ambassador (AAA) Katherine spent a week in Hawaii during October 2022 and two days at the summit of Maunakea. She assisted with observing one night at the InfraRed Telescope Facility.

    Katherine has been a member of the NASA Community College Network (NCCN) since 2022

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Kent Marts - Vice Chair

  • We are in a science desert. It is a several hours drive to get to a location for science fun.

    And let's be honest.... science is fun! So let's build a place to have fun.

  • I have had a lifetime enjoyment of astronomy, enjoy the outdoors and natural/Earth sciences.

  • Education:

    BA Journalism Arkansas State University

    Organizations:

    Boy Scouts of America

    Sugar Creek Astronomical Society

    I worked in newspaper my entire life until I left the field in 2017. Worked in heavy steel fabrication for a year then joined Explore Scientific, a leading optic company focused on astronomy, sports optics, and STEM items.

Tanya Silvio - Treasurer

  • I have loved all things space and science since I was a girl growing up in Chicago. As a teenager I wanted to be the first woman on Mars.

  • From my time in Chicago, I had served on the Women's Board of the Adler Planetarium, the President's Council at the Museum of Science and Industry, and on the Board (and now the Emeritus Board) of the Glessner House Museum.  I love the outdoors and spending time with my family.

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    I have an Aerospace Engineering Degree, with minors in Military Science and Physics, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson.  After serving in the US Air Force, I moved to New York to begin a short career in Investment Banking, then back to Chicago to focus on M&A, before moving to Arkansas to work in Corporate Development for Walmart. I was also the Head of Corporate Development at the Gap Inc. 

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Clint Branham

Suzie Passmore

Molly Ussery

  • Space!!!

  • Walmart cyber security

  • Amateur astronomy and hanging out with family

  • Science and STEM

  • Amateur astronomer, sheep, environmental studies

  • Ecology

Dustin Masterson

Amethyst mineral - cluster of purple crystals

David Lightfoot

Vicki Belcher - Secretary

  • My husband has taught me to appreciate the beauty that nature has to offer us, including everything from minerals to the mysteries of space.  I am very excited that NWA is going to have a place for young people to learn and explore the world of science and space. 

     

  • Description text goes hereI love the arts and have always been active in our local theaters.  I also am a chef, graduating from culinary school in Bangkok, Thailand.  In addition, I love to sew and over the years have made over a thousand costumes for plays and other performances.  We camp ALOT, and we love that, but above all my favorite thing to do is spend time with my grandkids. 

     

  • Description text goes hI attended SMS in Springfield, Missouri, with a major in English, and Journalism. My resume includes positions as Executive Officer for the Oklahoma Home Builders Association; Supervisor of Labor and Relations for the US Postal Service and Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Lady Baltimore Foods.   I owned and operated a Tea Room and later a 50’s Cafe in Missouri before moving to Arkansas.  Once in Arkansas I worked for Wal-Mart as a buyer in Children’s Clothing and then promoted to a Senior Buyer in Frozen Food for SAM’s Club.  I was privileged to travel around the world for SAM’S developing new products and negotiating pricing.  I served as a Director for the Arkansas Kids, a division of the American Kids Organization. Along with my son and Daughter-In-Law we established Stage One Entertainment where I served as one of the Directors for 20 years.  ere

  • I am very interested in work force development. Only with a well educated and tech-qualified work force can Northwest Arkansas draw employers who will create high-paying jobs for our citizens.

  • Dustin loves talking to people. His favorite part of the month is demos at First Friday where he gets to talk about science.

  • Education

    Positions

    IT security Analyst - Walmart

    Intelligence Specialist - US Navy

    Aviation Electronics Technician - US Navy

    Awards

    Humanitarian Service Medal

    Dustin Masterson is an IT Security Analyst for Walmart Technology, where he specializes in insider threat detection and remediation. He previously served as an Aviation Electronics Technician and later as an Intelligence Specialist with the United States Navy. He has been awarded the Humanitarian Service Metal for his aid during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

  • STEM is for everyone

  • David loves movies and science. Science movies are sometimes the best. Taking his family to a movie is better still.

  • Construction