ASU/NASA Space Grant Alumni Night
Event Type: Internal to Space Grant interns, alum, mentors and invited guests.
The ASU/NASA Space Grant Alumni Night is a special event designed to foster meaningful connections between past and present Space Grant Interns. This annual gathering invites alumni to return, reconnect, and inspire current interns though reaching back.
Attendees will gain insight into the evolving impact of the Space Grant program, while current interns benefit from valuable networking opportunities with alumni who are advancing in academic and professional fields. It’s a night of shared experiences, inspiration, and community.
Event Highlights
- Space Grant Program Overview – Presented by ASU/NASA Space Grant Director, Dr. Tom Sharp, offering a snapshot of the program’s current initiatives and goals.
- Keynote Address – Delivered by a distinguished Space Grant alum, offering insights and inspiration.
- Student Presentation – A current Space Grant Intern shares their research and journey.
- Mix & Mingle Session – An open networking opportunity for interns and alumni to connect, collaborate, and share stories.
Whether you're looking to reconnect with fellow alumni, mentor the next generation, or simply stay engaged with the Space Grant community, Alumni Night is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Why Attend?
- Reconnect with fellow alumni and faculty
- Discover cutting-edge student research
- Share your journey and inspire the next generation
- Expand your professional network
Past Alumni Keynote Speakers
- 2024-25 Arizona National Eclipse Ballooning Team, Jacqueline Do, Courtney Banks, Megan Miller, Ricardo Ontiveros, January 17, 2025
- 2023-24 Hallie Abarca (Gengl) – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Systems Engineer/Flight Director. January 19, 2024
- 2022-23 Eric Hinkson – Lockheed Martin Space, Software Engineer, Senior Staff, Orion Mainline Integration and Verification (MIV) Lead, January 20, 2023
- 2021-22 Collin Ho – Terraformation Inc., January 21, 2022 – Virtual Event
- 2020-21 – Kayla Iacovino – “A Song of Earth and Fire: Crushing Rocks and Making Magma”, Volcanologist and Experimental Petrologist, NASA Johnson Space Flight Center, JACOBS project, January 22, 2021 – Virtual Event
- 2019-20 – Jack Lightholder, Software Engineer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, January 17, 2020
- 2018-19 – Gage Hintzen, Engineer, Lockheed Martin, 2015 Scholar, January 11, 2019
- 2017-18 – Emily McBryan, NASA Johnson Space Flight Center, January 12, 2018
- 2016-17 – Matt Summers, Raytheon/University of Arizona, Research & Development, January 13, 2017
- 2015-16 – Steven Ruff, Arizona State University, Planetary Geologist and Associate Research Professor, December 4, 2015
- 2011-12 – Allison Loll, Forensic Scientist, Phoenix Police Crime Laboratory, December 1, 2011
- 2010-11 – Joel Rademacher, Space Grant Alumni | Manager, Mission Systems Engineering, Iridium, "One of Many Careers Influenced by the NASA Space Grant Program"
- 2009-10 – Shea Ferring, Alumni Night Inaugural Speaker. Space Grant Alum (pre 2006) undergrad and grad. Major team member of ASU’s Small Satellite Program under Helen Reed. Ferring helped start Space Grant Robotics.
Intern Presentations
- 2024-25 – Hailey Nelson, Chemistry and Astrophysics Major
Navigating Interdisciplinary Pathways: Scientific Discovery and Outreach for Astrophysics, Chemistry and Beyond”, Scott Sayres, mentor - 2023-24 – Sam Campbell, “Outreach and Inspiration”, Rhonda Stroud, mentor
- 2022-23 – John Malloy (Grad Fellow), “Developing Earth Science Curricula to Increase STEM Identity in Juvenile Institutionalized Youth”, Debra Skinner, Education Partner
- 2022-23 - Genevieve Cooper (Undergrad), “ASCEND High Altitude Ballooning”, Tom Sharp, mentor
- 2021-22 – David Ordaz Perez, “Maximizing Your Opportunities with Space Grant”, Timothy Takahashi, mentor
- 2020-21 – Alexis Hocken, “Photocurable Nanocomposites for Customizable Cartilage Replacements”, Matthew Green, mentor
- 2019-20 – Madeline Marquardt - “Ancient Impacts and Zircon: Windows to the Early Solar System Evolution”, Tom Sharp, mentor
- 2018-19 – Victoria Jones and Cameron White – “Galaxies and Quasars”, Rolf Jansen, mentor
- 2017-18 – Bianca Pina, Paul Ronquillo – “The 2017 Eclipse”, Tom Sharp, mentor
- 2016-17 – Sarah Rogers, “Phoenix Project”, Aerospace Engineering/Astronautics, Rogier Windhorst, mentor
