Amy graduated with honors from Wilbur Wright College in 2023. She then obtained her license as a COTA from The National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy. As a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success since 2020, Amy has demonstrated leadership and excellence in various project manager roles for NASA-affiliated STEM workforce development programs as well as the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program. After completing and winning a proposal writing and evaluation experience in 2023 as Principal Investigator and Project Manager, Amy was awarded funding by NASA to continue developing her innovative new medical technology. She founded Esperance LLC in 2023 and leads a multidisciplinary team of experts, graduates and undergraduates who collaborate with NASA and other partners to develop the AMY.
CaelaGnutek
Caela is a versatile individual who has a Bachelors of Arts from University of St. Francis and recently graduated with an Associates of Applied Sciences in computer programming. Caela is a former participant of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars and multiple NASA-affiliated programs. Caela is also a former participant of a university-sponsored NASA workforce development experience and internship. Caela is the primary designer of the Esperance website, targeting grants and providing scientific research, engineering research, and engineering hardware. She plays a significant role in the conceptualization, prototyping, and developing digital systems for various projects. Caela participates in multiple subteams, and has an extensive background in multiple programming languages.
Minh is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at University of Illinois Chicago. She has experience in business and healthcare administration, as well as tax and audit work. Minh has experience in managing the company’s finances and assets, along with creating tools to enhance operational efficiency. In addition to her financial responsibilities, she contributes by conducting research and by aiding in compliance and organizational development.
Jay is pursuing an Associates in Mechatronics at Edmonds College and plans to major in Systems Engineering. Her background is in healthcare as a nursing assistant and hospital systems. Her healthcare experience and focus is in rehabilitation, critical care and mental health specialities. Jay is an alumni of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars program and has completed several NASA-affiliated workforce development programs. Jay is the Vice President of Edmonds College Rocket Society and an OSHA Certified Manufacturing Associate. Jay has experience in operational procedures thorough assisting with regulatory compliance, risk assessment, process management and automating systems.
Mereum is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Chicago pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. As a biomedical engineering student, her degree focuses on a concentration in Neural Engineering and a minor in Computer Science. Mereum has previously participated in a NASA-affiliated workforce development program as a biomedical engineer. She has a strong passion for developing medical technology to improve accessibility and quality of care, and she intends to pursue this passion by assisting with Esperance’s mission.
Tim is a 2024 University of Georgia graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Engineering. As a Zell Miller scholarship recipient, Tim gained experience with mechanical systems, electrical systems, and nanoparticles. At Esperance, Tim contributes to the AMY project through engineering research, consultation, and design.
Nikhil is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University. Through club involvement and undergraduate research, he has developed a strong passion for flight and space exploration. He has gained experience with various computer aided-design programs, programming languages, and computational fluid dynamics software, which he has applied to projects ranging from hybrid engine rockets to remote control aircraft design. Additionally, Nikhil worked as a mechanical engineer for a NASA affiliated workforce development program, where he gained experience in mechanical design and aerospace engineering principles.