Andrew P. Armacost officially began his tenure as the University of North Dakota’s 13th President on June 1, 2020.

He previously served as Dean of the Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, retiring in the rank of Brigadier General in 2019.

 As UND’s President, Armacost has led the campus to national recognition, including the 2021 Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town Gown Association and the 2022 ACE/Fidelity Investments Transformation Award from the American Council on Education. In 2021, UND was the first university in the nation to be designated as a member of the U.S. Space Force’s University Partnership Program and was recently designated a "Carnegie R1" institution, which places it among the top research universities in the nation.

 Armacost currently serves on the boards of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, the Falcon Foundation, the Energy and Environmental Research Center Foundation, the UND Aerospace Foundation, and the UND Center for Innovation Foundation. He currently chairs the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Board of Directors for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. He also serves on the advisory board for the VOICE of collegiate Esports. 

 In his academic career, Armacost has been a champion of shared governance, academic freedom, inclusion, student growth, and applied learning and research. He is an award-winning educator and researcher in the field of Operations Research, with international recognition from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences and the Military Operations Research Society. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the AF Commendation Medal, and the AF Achievement Medal.

 A native of Glendale, Wisconsin, Armacost earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and his master’s and PhD in Operations Research from MIT.

Marshall Smith is CEO of Starlab Space Stations. He is responsible for guiding Starlab’s vision, strategy, operations and sustainable success, representing its mission and interests to stakeholders worldwide. Smith brings a wealth of experience designing and building complex, human-rated space systems, as well as formulating deep space architectures, and developing human and robotic space systems and multi-billion dollar launch vehicles.

Smith was previously the president of Voyager Technologies’ Space Solutions business segment, where he led the strategic, operational and financial performance of the business segment, aligning company goals and stakeholder expectations. Smith previously served as chief technology officer at Voyager, leading technical strategy, as well as vice president of Exploration, supporting Nanoracks, which was acquired in 2021. There he oversaw commercial space station development, autonomous outpost platforms, support systems and airlocks. 

Prior to joining Voyager in 2021, Smith served 37 years at NASA, where he concluded his career as the deputy associate administrator for Systems Engineering & Integration at NASA Headquarters. During his tenure, he held various leadership roles, including director for Human Lunar Exploration Programs and director for Cross-Program Systems Integration/Exploration Systems. Smith led several initiatives that integrated innovative commercial partnerships into NASA’s deep-space exploration programs, including the Human Landing System. 

Smith is the recipient of the NASA Systems Engineering Excellence of the Year Award, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech.

Kenneth Rock is the Chief Engineer and Architect for the Space Development Agency and future programs at Iridium, bringing over 30 years of experience in satellite engineering and operations. He has played a pivotal role in shaping Iridium’s constellation systems - from early flight dynamics, mission planning, and attitude control innovations that extended satellite lifetimes to later successful Iridium NEXT launches and transition. Ken now oversees the architecture and engineering of the SDA’s T1, T2, and T3 Ground Management Infrastructure programs, advancing operational agility and system resilience. He holds a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University and an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

Justin Weiler is a perpetual learner and leader in software, platform, and digital engineering with extensive experience in defense, cyber, and product development. Currently, Justin is a Software Engineering Manager and Lead Cloud Architect at Infinity Systems Engineering where he is leading a team of software engineers in the company’s innovative Digital Engineering Solutions team, building Digital Engineering capabilities into greenfield software for Defense space operations and beyond.  These products include software to automate integration of Model Based Systems Engineering with physics-based simulation tools, integration of Large Language Models for procedure and compliance generation, and a network-enabled satellite command and control solution driving rapid warfighter effects at the speed of modern conflict.

Prior to Infinity, Justin has served as an Air Force Cyber Warfare Officer, a Senior Manager for the State of Washington, and various technical leadership roles.  In his free time, Justin is an avid cyclist and skier, spending as much time in the Colorado outdoors with his family and friends as possible.

Justin holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science degrees in Geospatial Science from the United States Air Force Academy.

Paul has a BSc from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in physics from the University of Toronto. Since 2020, Paul has been with the University of Waterloo as a senior technologist for satellite quantum communication. Paul is primarily responsible for supporting system design, analysis, and implementation related to the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) mission and the Quantum Optical Ground Station (QOGS) located on the University of Waterloo campus.

Dr. Ronald Fevig is a native of Minnesota. He possesses both a Bachelor's degree from North Dakota State University and Master's degree from the University of North Dakota in Mathematics. He also earned a Master's degree in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota.

Dr. Fevig completed his formal education with a Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences from the University of Arizona (UA). His dissertation research focused on near-Earth asteroid spectroscopy. While working on his doctoral degree he was heavily involved in activities associated with a UA nanosatellite program and two high-altitude balloon teams. Through this small satellite effort he gained experience in the overall design, build, test and readiness for flight of two UA CubeSats that were delivered for launch in 2005.

Dr. Fevig began teaching as an adjunct instructor in the University of North Dakota (UND) Department of Space Studies during the 2007-2008 Academic Year.  At that time he was primarily employed as a postdoctoral research associate in the Electrical Engineering Department at UND, participating in research involving mosaicking and super-resolution of video frames acquired from unmanned aerial vehicles.

Dr. Fevig joined the UND Department of Space Studies as an assistant professor beginning the Fall Semester, 2008.  As a professor in the Space Studies Department, Dr. Fevig's teaching focuses on orbital mechanics and space mission design.  He has been engaged in mostly student-oriented research projects involving spacecraft engineering, planetary sciences, and high-altitude ballooning. He served as the Graduate Program Director in the Space Studies Department for six years, managing and advising numerous students in the M.S. Program in Space Studies and Ph.D. Program in Aerospace Sciences.

Dr. Fevig is a USPA-licensed skydiver and an FCC-licensed amateur radio operator.

Ramon Blanco Maceiras is the US Head of Space at AVS Added Value Solutions, where he leads the company’s strategic expansion into the American space market. AVS is a deep-tech engineering company that designs and delivers cutting-edge systems for the space, particle-acceleration, and nuclear-fusion sectors, collaborating with leading scientific institutions and government agencies to “solve the world’s most critical and complex challenges.”

In his current role, Ramon is guiding AVS’s evolution from its European heritage into a fully established U.S. prime contractor, capable of delivering end-to-end satellite missions and in-orbit servicing capabilities. Under his leadership, AVS US has spearheaded the development of the UND ROADS (Rendezvous and Operations for Autonomous Docking and Servicing) mission in collaboration with the University of North Dakota. The program not only enables hands-on spacecraft operations training and research for UND students but also aims to achieve one of the world’s first small satellite scale demonstrations of autonomous rendezvous and docking, marking a key milestone in the advancement of cost-effective servicing technologies.

In parallel, Ramon co-founded and serves as Director of the nonprofit Collective of Space Minds (COSM), a global initiative connecting academia, industry, and government to bridge the gap between terrestrial industries and the emerging space economy.

Before joining AVS, Ramon played a pivotal role at Thales Alenia Space, where he held leadership positions in business development, product management, and engineering. His contributions strengthened the company’s future order book through innovative propulsion-system solutions across a wide range of missions—from LEO and MEO constellations to GEO satellites and interplanetary programs—advancing Europe’s capabilities in next-generation spacecraft propulsion and systems integration.

Ramon holds a Master’s degree with First Class Honors in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Propulsion and Engine Systems, from the University of Southampton, and a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Delft University of Technology. During his studies at Delft, he co-led the design of a crewed Mars flyby mission, earning a top-10 selection in the 2013 Inspiration Mars Foundation competition, a formative experience that shaped his enduring passion for human space exploration.

That early inspiration has continued to guide his career. Ramon’s enthusiasm for space was first sparked by the challenge of enabling human missions to Mars and later deepened through his work in the commercial space sector, where he witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of space technologies on life on Earth. Now based in Ithaca, New York, he remains a strong advocate for human and robotic exploration of the solar system, and for the expanding role of public-private partnerships in realizing those ambitions. He is dedicated to advancing next-generation space capabilities—including autonomous docking, rendezvous, in-orbit servicing, and modular assembly—to build sustainable systems that benefit humanity on Earth and beyond.

Morgan Giuseponi recently earned his Master’s in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, specializing in the management of space operations. He has served as Project Manager for the Space Operations Group (SOG) for over a year now, primarily focusing on implementing project management frameworks and standard operating procedures to enhance efficiency, communication, and mission readiness for existing and future members of SOG. In addition to his management duties, Morgan also serves as one of the primary satellite operators for the UND ROADS mission.

Dr. Pablo de León has three decades devoted to space science and engineering, both in his native Argentina and in the United States.

He is currently a Professor of Space Studies as well as Department Chair. He specialized in the area of Human Spaceflight, Extravehicular Activities, Space Suit Design and surface Planetary Exploration and Habitability.

Dr. de León also acted as Principal Investigator and Science Investigator in several NASA-funded programs.

Prior to that, he worked with the Space Shuttle as payload manager and general designer of the Project PADE (G-761) science experiments package. These experiments flew on mission STS-108 to the International Space Station in December 2001.This project carried seven experiments during the 12 day space flight.

He was also the Integration and Payload Manager on the Pehuensat-1 educational satellite, launched from India in the PSLV-C7 rocket in 2007.

His prior experience was as chief designer and fabrications manager for several underwater-simulation, (EVA) analog, pressure suit systems, including the first privately-built launch and entry space suit, the DL/H-1.

Pablo has flown, as payload specialist, in the NASA KC-135 aircraft more than 80 weightless parabolas carrying four Zero-G fluid dynamics experiments.

Pablo has written several books about space projects and space history, founded a magazine of space exploration, and was editor in chief of the "Latin-American Journal of Space Science and Technology". Pablo has participated in more than 50 technical papers on space engineering and life support systems presented at international congresses. He belongs to a number of professional aerospace engineering societies and is a founding member of the Space Generation Advisory Council.

Dr. James W. Wade has extensive experience in the aerospace and defense industry, spanning roles in government, federal research & development, education, and industry.  Most recently he was the corporate vice president for Quality & Compliance at Raytheon Technologies.  He collaborated with leadership in the areas of quality & mission assurance, engineering, supply chain, operations, and program management to deliver products and services that contributed to the customers’ mission success.  He joined the Raytheon Company in 2010 as vice president of Mission Assurance leading end-to-end Mission Assurance, Quality, Supplier Quality, and Continuous Improvement across the enterprise. 

From 2006 to 2010, Jim was head of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Safety and Mission Assurance Office, where he enhanced their system and component development capabilities in project hardware, software, integration and quality.  He established the Laboratory’s first Mission Assurance capability, which included the implementation of a quality management system compliant with the AS9100 industry standard.

From 1993 to 2006, Jim held critical leadership roles at NASA, including man¬ager of the International Space Station Safety and Mission Assurance/Program Risk Office, and several technical and engineering positions.  Along his other duties, Jim led and executed an integrated safety and risk analyses which confirmed the need to continue manning the ISS immediately following the Columbia accident.

Jim earned his doctorate in aerospace engineering sciences from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He also holds a master’s degree in aeronauti¬cal and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois, as well as both an MBA and an MS in space science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.  He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Gustavus Adolphus College.

Jim is a registered Professional Engineer, Texas, and an ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence. He received an Executive Certification in Technology, Operations and Value Chain Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management.  He is a Certified Instrument Flight Instructor and a Commercial Pilot.

Dr. Kavya K. Manyapu is an Explorer, Space scientist, Innovator, Educator, and Artist who has spent the past two decades advancing human spaceflight programs from Low Earth Orbit to future Lunar and Mars exploration. Her career spans industry, government, and academia, with contributions in spacecraft design and launch, spacesuit testing, technology innovation, space analog missions, field expeditions, and international collaborations to democratize access to space.

She currently leads the development of Exploration Extravehicular Activity Spacesuits (xEVAS) at NASA for the Artemis lunar program. Prior to joining NASA, she spent a decade at Boeing, holding key technical and leadership roles on the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft program, and earlier contributed to the Orion/Constellation program at Lockheed Martin. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Space Studies at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Manyapu holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, an M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT, a Ph.D. in Aerospace Sciences from UND, and a Diploma in Bharatanatyam.

Dr.Manyapu’s research and technology inventions focus on novel, next generation planetary spacesuit technologies for which she holds 8 patents and has authored 30 international publications. her spacesuit innovations have been tested on the International Space Station. She has been recognized internationally, with her work featured by The Economist, BBC, CNN, Discovery News, and Popular Mechanics.

Beyond her scientific career, Dr. Manyapu is a licensed pilot, SCUBA diver, mountaineer, and award-winning Indian classical dancer. She integrates her passion for space and inner exploration to inspire the next generation to pursue STEAM careers and explore their full potential. She founded the nonprofit Passion-2-Purpose Inc., launching initiatives such as Project Shakthi-We Climb So Girls Can Read, which supports education for underprivileged girls in India through high-altitude mountaineering expeditions.

Her leadership extends internationally as an elected Vice Chair of the International Astronautical Federation’s Human Spaceflight Committee, Mentor-in-Residence at Georgia Tech, and through prior leadership roles in the Space Generation Advisory Council and Civil Air Patrol.

She has been recognized as a Karman Fellow by the Karman Project Foundation, a 40 Under 40 Honoree by both Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, one of the Top 100 Global Women of the Future in Emerging Tec among other honors. 

Through her passion for space exploration, Dr. Manyapu works to advance technologies that not only enable future missions but also benefit life on Earth, fostering sustainability and a better future for humanity. She believes that the spirit of exploration—outer and inner—can spark transformative solutions and inspire the next generation.

---Sept 2025

Steven Smith is Director of Flight Systems at Blue Origin, where he leads a multidisciplinary organization delivering advanced autonomous spaceflight capabilities and full lifecycle space systems. Under his leadership, his team developed and successfully flew Blue Origin’s NAVI navigation avionics, now standard across all current and future launch vehicles, including New Shepard and New Glenn. Steven also oversees operations of Blue Origin’s DaVinci R&D Lab, enabling cutting-edge advances in robotics, hydrogen fuel cells, additive manufacturing, and life support systems. With more than 25 years of aerospace leadership, he has built and scaled high-performing engineering organizations, driven enterprise-wide adoption of modern development practices, and advanced the state of autonomous spaceflight. He holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and aerospace engineering degrees from the University of Kansas.

Dr. Keith Crisman was awarded a PhD from the Florida Institute of Technology’s Human Centered Design program with emphasis on rescue and safety systems pertaining to human spaceflight and variable gravity environments. 

There, he supported Florida Tech’s Human Spaceflight Laboratory as the Health and Safety Officer as well as Research Assistant. Keith performed thorough risk analysis and developed both Adaptive Spaceship Cockpit Simulator and Intravehicular Spacesuit operational procedures supporting successful IRB application for Humans-in-the-Loop Simulations. Further, he has collaborated on FAA Commercial Space Transportation research related to analytics of the normative Human Spaceflight environment as well as collaborations with Embry Riddle University during research on IVA Spacesuit Ergonomics for Spacesuit Cabin Integration Human Factors.

Dr. Crisman has completed research at the Mars Desert Research Station as the Health and Safety Officer of Crew 219 and Commanding Officer of Crew 239.  He plans to continue research in off-planet analogous simulators to include neutral buoyancy with an upcoming research dive at the Aquarius Reef underwater research facility (NASAs NEEMO).  Dr. Crisman recently completed a 24-hour dive at an underwater facility to perform outreach and research with graduate students as part of his AERO (Adventure, Exploration, Research, and Outreach) initiative.

He has an immense educational background starting with Automotive Technologies certification from Pike-Lincoln Technical Center, an AAT from Ozarks Technical Community College with emphasis in Psychology, a BSci in Psychology with Biology minor from the University of North Dakota, an MSci in Human Factors of Aeronautics from the Florida Institute of Technology and PhD in Human Centered Design from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Certifications include DAN DFA-PRO provider, PADI Rescue Diver, PADI Aquanaut Diver, and AAUS Scientific Diver along with various related certifications. His work throughout this path has resulted in a Contained Environment Airlock Pass-Through (CEB) and Geologic Sample Return Container (SMR) for a Pressurized, Manned Rover, Collaboration between NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and the University of North Dakota Space Studies Department, completed in 2012, a patent for a Ferrohydrodynamic Thermal Management System and Method, US20160116223 A1, Fourier Electric LLC, Orlando, FL, USA, patent filed 2014, and the creation of an emergency containment system for single person use in a microgravity environment found within his dissertation, Microgravity Emergency Medical Containment System – A Concept of Architecture, Prototyping, and Usability Research.

Please see CV for more information.

Semper Exploro – Per Scientiam ad Martis

Dr. Pablo de León has three decades devoted to space science and engineering, both in his native Argentina and in the United States.

He is currently a Professor of Space Studies as well as Department Chair. He specialized in the area of Human Spaceflight, Extravehicular Activities, Space Suit Design and surface Planetary Exploration and Habitability.

Dr. de León also acted as Principal Investigator and Science Investigator in several NASA-funded programs.

Prior to that, he worked with the Space Shuttle as payload manager and general designer of the Project PADE (G-761) science experiments package. These experiments flew on mission STS-108 to the International Space Station in December 2001.This project carried seven experiments during the 12 day space flight.

He was also the Integration and Payload Manager on the Pehuensat-1 educational satellite, launched from India in the PSLV-C7 rocket in 2007.

His prior experience was as chief designer and fabrications manager for several underwater-simulation, (EVA) analog, pressure suit systems, including the first privately-built launch and entry space suit, the DL/H-1.

Pablo has flown, as payload specialist, in the NASA KC-135 aircraft more than 80 weightless parabolas carrying four Zero-G fluid dynamics experiments.

Pablo has written several books about space projects and space history, founded a magazine of space exploration, and was editor in chief of the "Latin-American Journal of Space Science and Technology". Pablo has participated in more than 50 technical papers on space engineering and life support systems presented at international congresses. He belongs to a number of professional aerospace engineering societies and is a founding member of the Space Generation Advisory Council.

Dr. Pablo de León has three decades devoted to space science and engineering, both in his native Argentina and in the United States.

He is currently a Professor of Space Studies as well as Department Chair. He specialized in the area of Human Spaceflight, Extravehicular Activities, Space Suit Design and surface Planetary Exploration and Habitability.

Dr. de León also acted as Principal Investigator and Science Investigator in several NASA-funded programs.

Prior to that, he worked with the Space Shuttle as payload manager and general designer of the Project PADE (G-761) science experiments package. These experiments flew on mission STS-108 to the International Space Station in December 2001.This project carried seven experiments during the 12 day space flight.

He was also the Integration and Payload Manager on the Pehuensat-1 educational satellite, launched from India in the PSLV-C7 rocket in 2007.

His prior experience was as chief designer and fabrications manager for several underwater-simulation, (EVA) analog, pressure suit systems, including the first privately-built launch and entry space suit, the DL/H-1.

Pablo has flown, as payload specialist, in the NASA KC-135 aircraft more than 80 weightless parabolas carrying four Zero-G fluid dynamics experiments.

Pablo has written several books about space projects and space history, founded a magazine of space exploration, and was editor in chief of the "Latin-American Journal of Space Science and Technology". Pablo has participated in more than 50 technical papers on space engineering and life support systems presented at international congresses. He belongs to a number of professional aerospace engineering societies and is a founding member of the Space Generation Advisory Council.

Ashton M. Shelton earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology/Pre-Medicine from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.  After earning her military commission through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), she served in the Space Operations career field and earned several college credits in systems engineering while leading global operations across the space domain.      

Ashton began her Master's in Space Studies at the University of North Dakota following her retirement from military service and will graduate in May.  She currently lives in Huntsville, Alabama, where she works as a Staff Systems Engineer for Northrop Grumman Corporation, specializing in Model-Based Systems Engineering and Human Factors in the Space Systems Sector. 

She aspires to earn her PhD in human factors engineering/ergonomics and continue serving on space analog missions to advance the science needed to, one day, send humans to the Moon and Mars for permanent habitation. 

Dr. Fieber-Beyer focuses on the study of main-belt and near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), utilizing asteroid spectral investigations to test detailed models of the nature, origin, dynamics and inter-relationships of asteroids, meteorites, and early solar system conditions and processes. Her research on the 3:1 Kirkwood Gap is aimed at the identification of probable/potential parent bodies of the various meteorite classes. She also studies the genetic and dynamical relationships of asteroid families including, but not limited to families such as the Maria, Gefion, and Massalia Asteroid Families. Her research extends to NEAs with the goal of better understanding the NEA population, paying particular focus on how physical and compositional properties vary within the population, properties affecting the hazard potential of individual NEAs, and the feasibility of mitigation strategies based upon the composition of target material derived from spectral analysis.

As a forward-thinking scientist, Dr. Fieber-Beyer and her students conduct research using asteroid soil as a means of growing food for space travellers. Her research has been recognized as the first to achieve success in this area. She has presented the results and next phases at conferences including Space Ag and the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. The studies have been reported by news organizations worldwide.

Dr. Fieber-Beyer has authored/co-authored several peer-reviewed publications and many abstracts for professional meetings. She is a visiting astronomer at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i. She is also Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on NSF and NASA grants.

Dr. Robert J. Kraus is the Dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, nationally acclaimed for our achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric sciences, space studies, and Earth system science and policy.

With 850 faculty and staff members serving 2,100 students from around the world, the Odegard School has earned an international reputation as one of the premiere Aviation and Aerospace colleges in the world. In addition to providing the highest quality education possible at a reasonable cost, the Odegard school has been very successful in garnering $18 million in externally funded contracts and research projects each year. With more than 130 airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems, and a myriad of projects studying the Earth up to and through the sky, into space, to Mars and beyond, the School is leading the charge into the future of aerospace.

Prior to joining UND, Dr. Kraus served as the Associate Dean, Flight and Operations at Kent State University following a 28-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. His final Air Force assignment was in Paris, France, where he was the Head of the Operations and Coordination Division in the NATO Science and Technology Organization Collaboration Support Office. His prior assignments were at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, at the US Air Force Academy, and as an operational and experimental test pilot in airlift aircraft.

Dr. Kraus has more than 3,300 hours in 35 aircraft as an aircraft commander, instructor and evaluator pilot, experimental test pilot and Hurricane Hunter.

Dr. Robert J. Kraus is the Dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, nationally acclaimed for our achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric sciences, space studies, and Earth system science and policy.

With 850 faculty and staff members serving 2,100 students from around the world, the Odegard School has earned an international reputation as one of the premiere Aviation and Aerospace colleges in the world. In addition to providing the highest quality education possible at a reasonable cost, the Odegard school has been very successful in garnering $18 million in externally funded contracts and research projects each year. With more than 130 airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems, and a myriad of projects studying the Earth up to and through the sky, into space, to Mars and beyond, the School is leading the charge into the future of aerospace.

Prior to joining UND, Dr. Kraus served as the Associate Dean, Flight and Operations at Kent State University following a 28-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. His final Air Force assignment was in Paris, France, where he was the Head of the Operations and Coordination Division in the NATO Science and Technology Organization Collaboration Support Office. His prior assignments were at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, at the US Air Force Academy, and as an operational and experimental test pilot in airlift aircraft.

Dr. Kraus has more than 3,300 hours in 35 aircraft as an aircraft commander, instructor and evaluator pilot, experimental test pilot and Hurricane Hunter.

Dr. Joseph S. Jewell is the John Bogdanoff Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University, advising 15 graduate students as Director of the BAM6QT research group, and 7 as Director of the HYPULSE facility. BAM6QT is the only operational hypersonic low disturbance facility in the U.S., and HYPULSE is one of the most versatile high enthalpy facilities in the world, capable of Mach 4 to 25+ aerodynamic experiments. He joined the Purdue faculty in 2019 after 5 years in hypersonics at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. He is an alumnus of Caltech, Michigan, and the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and serves on the DARPA/IDA Defense Science Study Group (DSSG) for 2024-26. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Alex Eldredge is a scientist and researcher at 3M, specializing in the development of specialty films with a focus on optical and aerospace applications. As the technical lead and application development engineer for the Space Market in 3M's Aerospace and Defense Business, Alex collaborates with OEMs and customers to address their technical challenges using 3M's innovative products and technology. He also plays a key role in helping scientists invent and develop new solutions for the space market.

During his tenure at 3M, Alex has held research positions in the Central Research Lab and the Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division. He has led projects in microreplication, advanced materials for aerospace surface protection and enhancement, space solar cell cover glass replacement, and the space films program, as well as the development of novel films for aerospace interiors. His work has resulted in twelve patent applications for innovative film technologies, underscoring his commitment to advancing 3M's mission of developing cutting-edge solutions for the aerospace and defense sectors.

Alex holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine. He resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Timothy Raymond Young is a researcher and educator in the department of physics and astrophysics, and adjunct in aerospace engineering at the University of North Dakota. He is the faculty advisor to the student organization, ARC, the advanced rocketry club. He is co-director of UND's new Rocket and Propulsion Lab which is devoted to student learning and research. His work focuses on fluid dynamics, shock wave modeling, and high-speed imaging of rocket engine tests to advance student-built and research-class propulsion systems. With a background bridging aerospace engineering and physics, Young mentors' interdisciplinary teams in the design, testing, and analysis of solid, hybrid and liquid rocket systems, fostering hands-on innovation and safety in experimental rocketry at UND.

Dr. Marcos Fernandez-Tous is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Space Studies at the University of North Dakota, where he leads research and instruction in rocket propulsion systems, space electric and nuclear propulsion, and hypersonic aerodynamics. With over 25 years of experience in aerospace engineering across academia, government, and industry, Dr. Fernandez-Tous has contributed to propulsion-related projects at NASA, participated in international air transport initiatives, and developed innovative educational approaches using AI and Innovation-Based Learning.

He has authored and presented work on advanced propulsion technologies, in-space maintenance, and Mars mission propulsion alternatives at international conferences including the International Astronautical Congress. His recent publications explore the geopolitical implications of space propulsion and the technical challenges of spacecraft reentry and splashdown. A Fulbright Specialist and mentor to UND’s AIAA student branch, Dr. Fernandez-Tous brings a global and interdisciplinary perspective to the future of space propulsion.

Mr. Steinhauer is a UND Mechanical Engineering Alumni (Bachelor’s 2003, Master’s 2004).  After graduation he served as the Service and Support Engineer for the North Dakota and northwest Minnesota markets for FedEx Express for 13 years.  During this time, he specialized in process improvement, budgeting/forecasting, and project management.  During the last 5 years of this career he also served as a new engineer trainer at the FedEx World Headquarters in Memphis TN.  Mr. Steinhauer accepted the position of Senior Lecturer at the University of North Dakota in Feb 2018.

Dr. Marcos Fernandez-Tous is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Space Studies at the University of North Dakota, where he leads research and instruction in rocket propulsion systems, space electric and nuclear propulsion, and hypersonic aerodynamics. With over 25 years of experience in aerospace engineering across academia, government, and industry, Dr. Fernandez-Tous has contributed to propulsion-related projects at NASA, participated in international air transport initiatives, and developed innovative educational approaches using AI and Innovation-Based Learning.

He has authored and presented work on advanced propulsion technologies, in-space maintenance, and Mars mission propulsion alternatives at international conferences including the International Astronautical Congress. His recent publications explore the geopolitical implications of space propulsion and the technical challenges of spacecraft reentry and splashdown. A Fulbright Specialist and mentor to UND’s AIAA student branch, Dr. Fernandez-Tous brings a global and interdisciplinary perspective to the future of space propulsion.

Professor Running works to motivate students inside and outside of the classroom to make a positive difference in the world. Prof. Running's technical scholarship is focused on hypersonic aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics with complementary interests in novel experimental surface-measurement techniques and facility design. These research endeavors seek to deliver answers to fundamental questions facing the hypersonic community and will lead to increased national security, space exploration and commercial flight.

Chonglin Zhang is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Dakota. He earned his PhD in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Minnesota in 2013. His research focuses on the kinetic theory based particle simulation methods, including the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method and the particle-in-cell (PIC) method, with applications in hypersonic flow, rarefied gas dynamics, aerothermodynamics, microscale and nanoscale flows, and plasma physics. He uses high performance computing (HPC) in his computational research. Prior to joining UND, he was a Research Scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, where he worked on developing simulation code to model plasma physics in tokamak device, a promising device for controlled fusion. Previously, he also spent several years as a Project Engineer in the automotive industry, where he worked with engineers and researchers from Ford, Toyota, and GM to help them design new products using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

Dr. Robert J. Kraus is the Dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, nationally acclaimed for our achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric sciences, space studies, and Earth system science and policy.

With 850 faculty and staff members serving 2,100 students from around the world, the Odegard School has earned an international reputation as one of the premiere Aviation and Aerospace colleges in the world. In addition to providing the highest quality education possible at a reasonable cost, the Odegard school has been very successful in garnering $18 million in externally funded contracts and research projects each year. With more than 130 airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems, and a myriad of projects studying the Earth up to and through the sky, into space, to Mars and beyond, the School is leading the charge into the future of aerospace.

Prior to joining UND, Dr. Kraus served as the Associate Dean, Flight and Operations at Kent State University following a 28-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. His final Air Force assignment was in Paris, France, where he was the Head of the Operations and Coordination Division in the NATO Science and Technology Organization Collaboration Support Office. His prior assignments were at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, at the US Air Force Academy, and as an operational and experimental test pilot in airlift aircraft.

Dr. Kraus has more than 3,300 hours in 35 aircraft as an aircraft commander, instructor and evaluator pilot, experimental test pilot and Hurricane Hunter.

Ben Davies is corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems sector, a leading global provider of defense solutions to enable decision-making and defeat advanced threats while supporting military operations and readiness. The sector also leads the company’s efforts in the sustainment, modernization and advancement of our nation’s land-based deterrence capabilities.

In this role, Davies oversees the delivery of a broad spectrum of missiles, tactical weapons and components, all-domain command and control architectures, integrated battle command systems and sustainment and modernization initiatives to national security, military and civil customers.

Previously, he was vice president and general manager of the sector’s Strategic Deterrent Systems (SDS) division, which is responsible for the Sentinel weapon system – a modernization of the ground-based leg of our nation’s nuclear triad, the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system. SDS also supports the sustainment of the current ground subsystems equipment for Minuteman III and is pioneering the development of new technologies for advancement of the deterrence mission, including the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications operations for our nation’s forces.

Before leading SDS, Davies was sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s Networked Information Solutions division, established in 2021 to advance cross-domain interconnectivity, edge processing and high-speed, cyber-secure, resilient command and control systems. He has also served as vice president and B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber program manager for Northrop Grumman, leading product support, design, development, integration and testing activities for the system. As sector vice president of Enterprise Services and chief information officer for Aerospace Systems sector, Davies led the delivery of digital infrastructure, information technology and security services to support the sector’s portfolio, including the B-21 Raider, ICBM and other air and space programs.

Davies is a cross-functional leader with more than 25 years in business, program and engineering leadership roles at both Northrop Grumman and leading defense companies. His experience encompasses a broad spectrum of capabilities, including inertial sensing, navigation, open architecture avionics and mission systems integration for U.S. Department of Defense and international platforms.

Davies earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California at Berkeley, and a master’s degree in engineering management from California State University, Northridge.

Andrew P. Armacost officially began his tenure as the University of North Dakota’s 13th President on June 1, 2020.

He previously served as Dean of the Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, retiring in the rank of Brigadier General in 2019.

 As UND’s President, Armacost has led the campus to national recognition, including the 2021 Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town Gown Association and the 2022 ACE/Fidelity Investments Transformation Award from the American Council on Education. In 2021, UND was the first university in the nation to be designated as a member of the U.S. Space Force’s University Partnership Program and was recently designated a "Carnegie R1" institution, which places it among the top research universities in the nation.

 Armacost currently serves on the boards of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, the Falcon Foundation, the Energy and Environmental Research Center Foundation, the UND Aerospace Foundation, and the UND Center for Innovation Foundation. He currently chairs the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Board of Directors for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. He also serves on the advisory board for the VOICE of collegiate Esports. 

 In his academic career, Armacost has been a champion of shared governance, academic freedom, inclusion, student growth, and applied learning and research. He is an award-winning educator and researcher in the field of Operations Research, with international recognition from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences and the Military Operations Research Society. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the AF Commendation Medal, and the AF Achievement Medal.

 A native of Glendale, Wisconsin, Armacost earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and his master’s and PhD in Operations Research from MIT.