Shane Larson

Shane is a research professor of physics at Northwestern University, where he is the Associate Director of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics). He works in the field of gravitational wave astrophysics, specializing in studies of compact stars, binaries, and the galaxy. He works in gravitational wave astronomy with both the ground-based LIGO project, and future space-based observatory LISA. He was formerly a tenured associate professor of physics at Utah State University. He is an award-winning teacher, and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He is an avid amateur astronomer, observing with two homebuilt Dobsonians, a 12.5" named EQUINOX and a 22" named COSMOS MARINER. He contributes regularly to a public science blog at writescience.wordpress.com, and tweets with the handle @sciencejedi

Michelle Larson

Michelle attributes her career path to looking up, literally. Growing up in Alaska she enjoyed the beauty of the Northern Lights, and she became further captivated by astronomy in her 20s when she pointed a pair of binoculars at the Moon. The stunning details visible on its craggy surface were a complete surprise, and the experience left her eager to explore what other secrets the cosmos had to offer. Now, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Michelle leads a talented team that connects people to the Universe and each other under the sky we all share.

The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether it is introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to a network of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another, the Adler’s focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century.

Michelle earned her PhD in physics from Montana State University and is a regular Table Mountain Star Party participant. She lives just outside Chicago with her husband—who is also an astrophysicist—their daughter, and two cats.

Kimberly Burtnyk-Moraru

Kim Burtnyk-Moraru is the LIGO Laboratory Writer and Editor, based at the LIGO Hanford Observatory. A lifelong avid amateur astronomer, Kim has also been a freelance astronomy journalist, science museum researcher, and science communication consultant. For graduate work, she studied the educational impact of the visitor centers at Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories in Australia, work that afforded her some precious and unforgettable opportunities to experience some exquisitely dark Southern Hemisphere skies.

Arnie Marchand

An Okanagan Indian, Arnie Marchand, from the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation shares tribal history and stories from Wenatchee to Penticton, BC. An entertaining and insightful speaker, he is the author of, “The Way I Heard It” Retelling the stories from Okanogan elders, Arnie begins in Wenatchee, WA and follows the trail now known as Highway 97 heading north into British Columbia, Canada. The book is arranged as if the Arnie is traveling with you on your adventure through time, including stories of places and events as seen through the eyes of the native settlers of the area. Arnie also has a brand new book in the works that doesn’t have a title yet. Arnie has also served as the Oroville Museum Director.