Our Team

We are passionate about bringing STEM concepts to life!

Ronda Cole Harmon

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Director - AFRL NM STEM Academy

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Call Sign - "Andromeda"

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25+ years in STEM Outreach

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Master of Science for Teachers - New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

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Bachelor of Science - Math Education - University of Nebraska

Fun Fact:  Ronda was hired for a summer job with the Air Force in 1994 when she was a high school math teacher. More than twenty-five years later, she’s still there – now that’s a long summer. cool

Pua Gabaldon

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Assistant Director - DoD STARBASE NM

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Call Sign - "Mew"

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Many years' experience in K-12 STEM and education

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Master's in Biology, minor in Biochemistry

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STEM Academy Member since 2024

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Worked with our STEM Outreach Specialist Amanda Salazar in CO

Fun Fact:  Her call sign, “Mew,” refers to a rare, playful, curious Pokemon named “Mew,” which also describes her. (She’s loved Pokemon since she was a kid.) She’s scuba certified, did a night dive with Manta Rays in Hawaii, rafted the Colorado River, and has been skydiving. She loves STEM and everything about it.

Caitlin Everhart

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STEM Outreach Specialist - AFRL NM STEM Academy

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7 years of experience working for science museums

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Call Sign - "Pluto"

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Master's degree in Museum Studies

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Studied physics and loves astronomy

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Previously worked with AFRL through Science Fiesta

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STEM Academy member since 2022

Fun Fact:  In college, while doing astronomy research, she got trapped in the observatory because there was a bear outside!

Deb Novak

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STEM Outreach Specialist - AFRL NM STEM Academy

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Call Sign - "Mz. Frizzle"

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Masters from the Audubon Expedition Institute/Lesley College in Environmental Education

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K-12 Licensure degree from College of Santa Fe, MST credits from NM Tech

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STEM Educator for 35+ years, in museums, zoos, schools, and field research

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STEM Academy member since 2023

Fun Fact:  Spent 4 days experiencing “life on Mars” at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah. Her team fully suited up in astronaut gear to exit the habitat, and ran missions
in the Utah desert, collecting samples while wearing puffy gloves and driving Mars rovers (ATVs).

Amanda Salazar

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STEM Outreach Specialist - AFRL NM STEM Academy

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Call Sign - "Sparkles"

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Bachelor's in Mathematics and Education from UNM

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3.5 years teaching experience

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STEM Academy member since 2021

Fun Fact:  Amanda has loved math for as long as she can remember! From middle school through college, she attended or worked at math and science camps every summer.

Diana Lee

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Data Analyst - AFRL NM STEM Academy

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STEM Academy member since 2003

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15+ years in STEM outreach

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Bachelor of Arts - Theatre Arts - University of Oregon

Fun Fact:  Diana participates in agility with her border collies. She uses skills developed in building dog agility training equipment out of PVC to help create items for our STEM displays.

Steve Burke

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Technical Writer - AFRL NM STEM Academy

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Call Sign - "Papa Cupcake"

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STEM Academy member since 2003

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15+ years in STEM outreach

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Bachelor of Arts - Journalism / Advertising - New Mexico State University

Fun Fact:  Steve has several superpowers. In addition to taking cool pictures and creating awesome newsletters, he can eat an entire cupcake in one bite . . . and tell stories just like this one. He also plays organ / piano, sings, and has directed choir for two churches in Albuquerque.

Lika Begnell

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DoD STARBASE NM Instructor

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Call Sign - "Daisy"

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25 years K-8th teaching experience (retired)

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Her students participated in our Mission to Mars and DoD STARBASE NM programs

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Her students have participated in Science Fairs, Math and Science Nights, and yearly Egg Drops

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STEM Academy member since 2023

Fun Fact:  Lika went to the same high school as Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in Star Wars).
The Force is strong with this one!

Tina Hansen

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Instructor - DoD STARBASE NM

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Call Sign - "Spike"

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STEM Academy member since 2017

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Camp Coordinator - NM Museum of Natural History & Science

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Product Engineer - 3M Company

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Master of Science - Chemical Engineering - Cornell University

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Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering - University of Wisconsin

Fun Fact:  Tina’s call sign is “Spike” –  the nickname for the Pentaceratops at the NM Museum of Natural History & Science. She tells everyone she is a unique NM fossil just like the Pentaceratops. Be like “Spike” and LOVE science. wink

Jessica Law

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Instructor - DoD STARBASE NM

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Call Sign - "Tesla"

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STEM Academy member since 2022

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Nearly 10 years of teaching experience in NM, including 2 1/2 years as science teacher in Los Lunas

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Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education and Teaching from UNM

Fun Fact:  Jessica can recall random trivia and information from the 1940’s to 2000’s, especially
film dialogue. Here’s looking at you, kid; you had me at “hello.”

Latischa Hueller

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DoD STARBASE NM Assistant Instructor

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Call Sign - "Autumn"

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Highland High School Band Booster

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Many years of Customer Service Representative experience

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STEM Academy member since 2023

Fun Fact: Her call sign, “Autumn,” references her love of Fall and walking through the crunchy leaves. She enjoys reading oracle cards and collecting crystals.

Daniella Miramontes

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DoD STARBASE NM Assistant Instructor

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Call Sign - "Blossom"

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Certified Medical Assistant - Contra Costa Medical Career College

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STEM Academy member since 2019

Fun Fact: Her call sign, “Blossom,” comes from her favorite flower:
The Cherry Blossom.

Megan Pacholka

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DoD STARBASE NM Classroom Assistant

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Call Sign - "Mango"

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Has worked with children for over six years

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Has experience as a middle school Assistant Basketball Coach

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STEM Academy member since 2023

Fun Fact: When her young nephew couldn’t pronounce “Megan,” he would call her “Aunt Mango.”

Stay Curious!