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 funded 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 two other 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, and she also offers additional support in targeting grants and providing scientific research, engineering research, and engineering hardware. She plays a significant role in the conceptualization, prototyping, and software development for the AMY. Caela participates in multiple subteams, and has an extensive background in multiple programming languages.
PeterMolinar
Pedro is an Aerospace Engineering major at Texas A&M University with a deep passion for space exploration. He was a part of the NASA funded workforce development program, serving as the thermal engineer responsible for the conceptual design for his team’s satellite temperature regulation system. For his senior design project, Pedro has been selected to contribute to the development of Northrop Grumman’s Lunar Rail system pathway. Beyond academics, Pedro is a dedicated advocate for increasing Latino/a representation in STEM through MAES: Latinos in Science and Engineering. He has presented at conferences on initiatives aimed at introducing STEM to underrepresented and low-income communities. As a part of Esperance, Pedro is responsible for the research, development, and deployment of the AMY to currently established waste systems as well as modeling the framework for the AMY’s electronic systems.
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. At Esperance, she plays a key role in managing the company’s finances and assets, along with creating tools to enhance operational efficiency. In addition to her financial responsibilities, she contributes to the Science Department by conducting research and the Human Resources Department by aiding in compliance and organizational development.