NYSG Welcomes Three New Affiliates to the Consortium
New York Space Grant Consortium recently expanded its reach in the state by adding three new affiliate members. Over the past year, NYSG has made it a priority to add new affiliates to increase the consortium’s impact on STEM education and outreach in New York. NYSG continues to recognize that there is a need for greater engagement and exposure to NASA and NASA’s Mission Priorities from underrepresented minorities, women, and first generation students. The goal is to enhance diversity of thought and innovation to promote a more inclusive and diverse STEM workforce for the future. During the summer, NYSG opened the opportunity to institutions across the state to apply for membership into the expanding 23 member consortium. The newest affiliate members accepted this summer include a museum, community college, and four-year college. Each of the new affiliates bring a new dimension and expertise to the NYSG Consortium that will promote better access, engagement, and exposure to NASA, NASA Missions, and STEM education.
Featured below are each of the newest member institutions and their affiliate director.
Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) - Dr. Emily Stewart currently serves as the Senior Director of Education & Curation at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) in downtown Syracuse. Trained as an interdisciplinary American historian, Dr. Stewart received her Bachelor's degree from Bethany College in West Virginia, and her Master's degree and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied how religious and social groups engage with new technologies and systems of communication. Her current research project focuses on "failed" communication technologies and systems throughout history.
Prior to joining the MOST in 2017, she served as a Mellon Research Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh as well as an adjunct professor, research assistant, and museum docent at various institutions. Now, she leads a team of museum staff and community partners to design, develop, and deliver STEM education programs and interactive exhibits at the MOST, with an emphasis on the museum's core values of inclusion, access, and enhancing public understanding of science.
Queensborough Community College - Jillian Bellovary, Assistant Professor of Physics at QCC, is a theoretical astrophysicist who studies the origins and evolution of massive black holes in the universe. Using cosmological computer simulations, she has discovered that massive black holes may be off center in nearby dwarf galaxies, and has made predictions for gravitational wave signals detectable by the upcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission due to merging black holes. Bellovary is the PI of the NSF-funded “Origins of Black Holes” research program at QCC and is also the Director of the new Masters in Astrophysics program at the CUNY Graduate Center. In her free time she enjoys playing roller derby and knitting.
Farmingdale State College - Kimberly Riegel - Kimberly Riegel is an assistant professor of physics at Farmingdale State College. She studies acoustics, the physics of sound with a focus on noise control. She does work with supersonic aircraft using computer simulations to propagate sonic booms in urban areas. She also works with classroom and building acoustics to ensure good acoustic environments for students and musicians. She believes in the coordination of experimental and numerical projects where utilizing cutting edge numerical tools for numerical simulations which can be validated using real world measurements.
Before joining Farmingdale State College, Kimberly was an assistant professor of physics at Queensborough Community College, where she focused on teaching introductory physics and the physics of sound classes. She was also a faculty mentor for the women in science club which works to promote participation and equality of women in science.
New Beginnings
NYSG is proud to be working with MOST, Queensborough CC, and Farmingdale State College. Each new affiliate member is committed to teaching and developing the next generation of STEM leaders. We would like to partner with you and your organization to impact more students state-wide and continue to foster the development of an inclusive STEM workforce.
If you are interested in becoming a NYSG affiliate, click on the link below.
Want to become an Affiliate?