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.

Esti Gutierrez

Fun Fact:  Esti is an identical twin born in June, thus the call sign “Gemini”.

Pua Gabaldon

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

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

Deb Novak

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

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

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

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

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

Jessica Boyar

Fun Fact:  Jessica also has a degree in Criminology and Social Welfare from UNM, and spent seven years as a social worker helping homeless adults diagnosed with mental illness. Her call sign, “Luna,” is because as a kid, she learned the moon’s glow comes from reflected sunlight, and has been fascinated with astronomy ever since.

Tina Hansen

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.

Jessica Law

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.”

Samantha Boggs

Fun Fact: “Taurus” is not a Taurus. Her husband and niece are, though! She was born on Groundhog Day, which makes her an Aquarius. Also, she is very likely the staff member who hates bugs the most. Hates them! 

Latischa Hueller

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

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

Megan Pacholka

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