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2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration
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This April, the College of Sciences is hosting an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth. Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration will convene leading scientists, engineers, policy experts, and thought leaders from across Georgia Tech and beyond to share research that’s guiding discovery and innovation.
Each year, Frontiers showcases how collaboration across disciplines — from science and engineering to public policy and international affairs — advances strategic research priorities. Recent programs have explored neuroscience and AI, climates in flux — and, this year, our solar system.
2026 Frontiers will convene more than 25 experts to discuss planetary science, satellites and orbital observation, robotic exploration, public astronomy, and bold visions for human spaceflight. The conference will also highlight the future of space policy, careers and commercialization, space as a laboratory, and will feature an “Astronaut’s Perspective” fireside chat with R. Shane Kimbrough (MS OR ’98) and Jud Ready, who serves as executive director of Georgia Tech’s new Space Research Institute (SRI) and GTRI principal research engineer.
All-Day & Half-Day Passes (RSVP required):
- RSVPs are required for day passes and lunch.
- To request a free all- or half-day ticket, please email: events@cos.gatech.edu
Session Drop-Ins (No RSVP required):
- Members of the community are welcome to drop by sessions of interest, lunchtime and evening telescope viewings, and our afternoon networking reception without RSVP. Come by and say hi!
- A schedule of events is here: https://cos.gatech.edu/frontiers-space
Speakers | 2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration
Hosted by the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech
Dalney Street Building
Welcome
- Coffee and Check-In
- Opening Remarks
- Susan Lozier, Dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Tim Lieuwen, Executive Vice President for Research, David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair, and Regents’ Professor, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
Habitable Worlds
- Chris Reinhard, Associate Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Gongjie Li, Associate Professor, School of Physics
- Joyce Shi Sim, Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- James Wray, Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Indujaa Ganesh, Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Earth as a Model for Space
- Christopher Carr, Assistant Professor, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering and School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Frances Rivera-Hernández, Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Amanda Stockton, Associate Professor, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Christopher Wiese, Assistant Professor, School of Psychology
Telescopes & Tacos: Interactive Public Astronomy Lunch
- Interactive opportunities from:
- Emory University Observatory | Alissa Bans
- Fernbank Science Center | Mark Lancaster
- Georgia Tech Astronomy Club | Sage Smith
- Georgia Tech Space Research Institute
- Hard Labor Creek Observatory at Georgia State University | Justin Robinson
- Presented by Paul Sell, Georgia Tech Observatory Director, and James Sowell, School of Physics Professor Emeritus
Afternoon Opening Remarks
- Jud Ready, Executive Director, Space Research Institute, and Principal Research Engineer, Georgia Tech Research Institute
Human Space Exploration: An Astronaut’s Perspective
- R. Shane Kimbrough (M.S. OR 1998), Retired NASA Astronaut
- Jud Ready, Executive Director, Space Research Institute, and Principal Research Engineer, Georgia Tech Research Institute
Space Innovation at Georgia Tech
- Brian Gunter, Associate Professor, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
- Glenn Lightsey, John W. Young Endowed Chair Professor, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
- Thom Orlando, Regents’ Professor, School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and Adjunct Professor, School of Physics
- Ava Thrasher, Research Engineer I, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
- Moderated by Naia Butler-Craig (M.S. AE 2023, Ph.D. AE 2026), NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow and GEM Fellow
Networking Coffee Break
The Future of Space Policy
- Mariel Borowitz, Associate Professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs; Director, Center for Space Policy and International Relations; Head, Program on International Affairs, Science, and Technology
- Margaret Kosal, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
- Feryal Özel, Chair and Professor, School of Physics
- Thomas González Roberts, Assistant Professor, joint appointment in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering; Director, Engineering Space Policy Laboratory
- Moderated by Lisa Yaszek, Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies, School of Literature, Media, and Communication
The Next Generation: Careers & Commercialization
- Audra Davidson (M.S. BIO 2020), Research Communications Program Manager, Space Research Institute (SRI) & Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)
- Jon Goldman (M.S. MSE 1989), Director of Quadrant‑i (Q‑i), Office of Commercialization
- Lauren Victoria (Vic) Paulson (B.S. ME 2023, Ph.D. AE 2027), Founder and President, Southeast Analog
- Moderated by Julia Kubanek, Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and Professor of Biological Sciences and Chemistry & Biochemistry
Networking Reception
- Food and beverages served
- Followed by a free evening viewing of Jupiter and the Orion Nebula with the Georgia Tech Astronomy Club in Howey Courtyard
- Additional information available through Georgia Tech public observatory nights
Summary
This year’s Frontiers in Science conference will offer an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth. Discover how groundbreaking research is reshaping our understanding of the solar system as we explore new possibilities from orbit and learn about the space policy guiding discovery and innovation. From satellites and rovers to bold visions for human exploration, this year’s program brings together more than two dozen leading scientists, engineers, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what lies beyond.
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- Workflow status: Published
- Created by: jhunt7
- Created: 03/23/2026
- Modified By: jhunt7
- Modified: 03/23/2026
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