NASA Ames Stars of the Month: September 2026
The NASA Ames Science Directorate recognizes the outstanding contributions of (pictured left to right) Steve Ormsby, Aphrodite Kostakis, Alejando Borlaff, Sarah Nickerson, Martina Caussi, Keiko Nomura, and Stephen Broccardo. Their commitment to the NASA mission represents the entrepreneurial spirit, technical expertise, and collaborative disposition needed to explore this world and beyond. Space…
NASA Ames has honored a group of scientists and engineers for their exceptional work in September 2026. The recipients hail from various divisions within the NASA Ames Science Directorate, each bringing unique expertise to the agency's mission of exploration and discovery.
Steve Ormsby, a project engineer at the Space Biosciences Division, has been recognized for his unwavering commitment to safety and infrastructure maintenance. His perseverance and initiative have ensured the well-being of division facilities, exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit needed for space exploration.
Aphrodite Kostakis, Facility Service Manager for the Space Biosciences Division, has demonstrated exceptional dedication to building safety and infrastructure. Her diligent work in preparing for and leading VPP inspections has set a high standard for the team, while her suggestions for infrastructure improvements have benefited everyone.
Alejandro Borlaff, a research scientist in the Astrophysics Division, has made significant contributions to the Hubble Space Telescope and the Roman Space Telescope's Wide Field Instrument. His leadership in developing image reduction pipelines has advanced the detection of ultra-low surface brightness features, significantly enhancing the science derived from NASA's flagship astrophysics missions.
Sarah Nickerson, another research scientist in the Astrophysics Division, has shown exceptional skills in analyzing and curating data from the EXES instrument on NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). This expertise provides valuable high-level data products to the global astrophysics community, fostering synergy with other NASA missions.
Martina Caussi, a Planetary Science and Exobiology expert, has contributed to the agency's ongoing quest to understand the potential for life beyond Earth. While specific details of her work are not provided, her recognition underscores the critical nature of her research in the broader context of NASA's mission.
Written by urgent.news from NASA's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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