Meet the gang!
Hey there! The team at Space Weather Explorers Week is made up of science educators at the University of California at Berkeley and scientists from all around the United States. Check out our bios and feel free to ask us questions on our Discord server. During our Live weeks we promise to reply every day. It might take longer at other times.
Dr. Lara Waldrop
Lara Waldrop, Illinois ECE Assistant Professor and Y. T. Lo Fellow in Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the Principal Investigator of the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory.
Dr. Bryan Mendez
Dr. Bryan Méndez is an Astronomer & Public Engagement Programs Director at the University of California at Berkeley. He is dedicated to inspiring others about the wonder and beauty of the Cosmos. He develops educational resources for students, teachers, and the public; conducts professional development for science educators; and teaches courses in astronomy.
Kathryn Quigley
Kathryn Quigley is an Digital Producer focused on creating content around science education. On this project she has develop videos and digital learning resources that share the mission’s discoveries with the public. With a B.A. in Geophysics and an M.A. in New Media and Science Education from UC Berkeley, they bring both scientific expertise and a strong background in creative communication to their role. Prior to joining Carruthers, Kathryn spent 10 years at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science producing multimedia projects, short documentaries, and interactive resources designed to make complex STEM topics engaging and accessible for learners of all ages. Their work on the Carruthers mission continues this commitment, helping audiences understand how Earth’s outer atmosphere interacts with the Sun and what that means for planetary habitability.
Igor Ruderman
Igor hails from Moscow, Russia. Since getting the astronomy bug as a kid, he’s been an avid amateur astronomer. While studying astronomy at UC Berkeley, he started working as a programmer for the education group at the Space Science Laboratory and he’s been a member of the team since 1996. In addition to handling all of the computing needs of the group, he enjoys participating in public outreach events. You will usually find him with one of his telescopes at such events. He’s been on multiple astronomy and education & public outreach related trips, including trips to observe solar eclipses, Venus transits, and trips to promote science education in Yucatan, Mexico. He is also an amateur astrophotographer. Space Science Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley.