our Team

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Industry Advisor

President of Space Forge, Inc.

 Michelle Flemming brings over 25 years of experience in space initiatives. As President of Space Forge, she supports on-orbit manufacturing and reentry capabilities for the next industrial revolution. Previously, Michelle led the Weightless Lab Research program at Zero Gravity Corporation, serving clients like NASA and Collins Aerospace. With an MBA and over 200 parabolic flights, she offers a unique perspective on space environments and aerospace workforce development. 

Public Relations and Media

Filmmaker, Producer, and Director

Suzanne Jurva is an award-winning filmmaker, former studio executive, and entrepreneur. She created the research department for Steven Spielberg at DreamWorks SKG and oversaw development of films such as Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator, The Prince of Egypt, and Men in Black. Suzanne was also NASA's liaison and research producer for Tom Hanks’ IMAX film Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon. One of Suzanne's current projects, My Teacher in Space, documents teacher Lalitha Murali and her classroom as they prepare experiments for parabolic flight.

Biomedical Space Research

University of Louisville

 Dr. George Pantalos has spent over 50 years exploring cardiovascular health, focusing on developing surgical devices and procedures to advance research. A Professor of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Louisville, his work primarily addresses heart failure using artificial hearts, ventricular assist devices, and cardiopulmonary support systems. Dr. Pantalos has collaborated with NASA to study cardiovascular adaptation to space flight and has flown 62 research missions on parabolic aircraft and twice aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.  

Science and Technical Advisor

Axiom Space

  Chris Matty is an aerospace engineer and physicist with over 20 years of experience at NASA Johnson Space Center. He has supported the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and Orion Programs in roles spanning mission operations, engineering, program management, and integration. Chris has collaborated with the US Department of Defense, testified before the US House of Representatives, and served as a crewmember on multiple human spaceflight analog missions. He has also worked at NASA Langley Research Center and Arnold Air Force Base. Chris holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MS in Astroparticle Physics from the University of Houston Clear Lake. 

 Community Engagement

S. California Educator and Professor

Bev Berekian is a Science Teacher / Professor at Saddleback Valley Unified School District, NOCCCD, and Cerritos Community College. With over 18 years of experience inspiring students in Earth and space exploration, she strives to empowering students to achieve their fullest potential. Bev is an Alumni of the Embedded Teacher Program, a Sophia Ambassador, Limitless Space Institute Educator, Solar System Ambassador, International Teacher Liaison, a STEM Ambassador for the Department of Defense, and a U.S. Air Force veteran.

 Education and Curriculum

UT Center for Space Research

Celena Miller is the Project Manager at UT Austin's Center for Space Research and the Principal Investigator for the Liftoff Summer Institute. A NASA SEES Co-Investigator and Space Foundation International Teacher Liaison, she has 16 years of experience as an educator specializing in STEM and NASA-related curriculum. A recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and a two-time HEB Excellence in Education Award winner, Celena has organized over 100 professional development workshops, mentoring educators and students through programs like SEES, Liftoff, and the MAVEN Teacher Ambassador Program.