Stars of the Month: June 2024 at the Ames Science Directorate

The NASA Ames Science Directorate is proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of Amy Gresser, Mary Beth Wilhelm, Taylor Bell, and Liane Guild. These individuals exemplify the talent, camaraderie, and vision necessary to advance the NASA mission both on Earth and in space.

Dr. Amy Gresser serves as the Space Biology Portfolio Manager for the Space Biosciences Division. Her leadership has been instrumental in managing the space biology portfolio, ensuring the workforce and scientific advancements are safeguarded through effective budget planning and execution. Amy has also cultivated a culture of excellence within the division.

Dr. Mary Beth Wilhelm, a planetary scientist and astrobiologist within the Space Science & Astrobiology Division, has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in team projects. Her recent proposal selection reflects her ingenuity and collaborative nature, contributing significantly to the division’s success.

Dr. Taylor Bell, also a planetary scientist within the Space Science & Astrobiology Division, recently published groundbreaking research on a hot Jupiter target using observations from the James Webb Space Telescope. This achievement was recognized by its publication in the prestigious journal, Nature Astronomy.

Dr. Liane Guild, an ecosystems scientist in the Earth Science Division, has represented NASA on the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and presented her CyanoSCape project at HQ Focus Area team meetings. She has also played a key role in leading the Interagency Agreement with the Naval Postgraduate School to validate data from the PACE-PAX mission using Ames’ 4STAR-B airborne instrument.

Each of these individuals has made significant contributions to their respective fields, embodying the spirit of innovation and collaboration essential for NASA’s continued success in exploring the cosmos and understanding our own planet.