NASA Ames Recognizes Outstanding Contributions of Three Staff Members

NASA News Releases announced the recognition of outstanding contributions from Alyssa Villanueva, Steve Howell, and Samuel LeBlanc, noting that their commitment to the NASA mission exemplifies the technical expertise, collaborative disposition, and entrepreneurial spirit required for exploration.

Alyssa Villanueva, an engineer within Blue Marble's Space Biosciences Division on the LEIA (Lunar Explorer Instrument for space biology Applications) team, was recognized for her technical excellence, dedication, and consistent support to the team. She has been vital to all testing efforts for LEIA, specifically regarding the preparation and execution of engineering validation testing.

Steve Howell, who is recognized for leading scientific teams on various international space missions, has made significant advancements in both ground-based and space-based telescope imaging through his pioneering work in astronomical instrumentation. Furthermore, the Astronomical Society recently honored Steve with the Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for his extensive contributions to the field.

Samuel LeBlanc, a research scientist in the Earth Science Division at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, was acknowledged for his innovative thinking and exceptional technical leadership in enhancing Ames' flight planning capabilities for NASA airborne science missions. LeBlanc's work has positioned Ames as a leader in airborne science flight planning both inside and outside the Agency, facilitating missions that are cost-effective and maximize scientific returns.