On November 20, the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) supported the planning and development of NASA Glenn Research Center’s (GRC) Evening with the Stars, which is an annual event that explores NASA GRC’s unique contributions to research and technology innovation. This year’s event was held at Windows on the River in Cleveland, Ohio.
The evening was attended by NASA and industry leaders, state and regional dignitaries, and academics from across the country. Dennis Andersh, CEO and president of Parallax Advanced Research and president of the Ohio Aerospace Institute, began the evening by welcoming attendees with a speech appreciative of NASA Glenn’s mission. Terry Slaybaugh, vice president of sites and infrastructure at JobsOhio, and Wanda Peters, deputy center director, spoke of NASA Glenn’s importance in Ohio. Director of NASA Glenn Research Center, Dr. James Kenyon, provided a review of the center’s accomplishments and introduced the evening’s speakers, Nikki Welch, Dr. Tim Smith, and Carlos Garcia-Galan.
Caption: Dennis Andersh, CEO and president of Parallax Advanced Research and president of the Ohio Aerospace Institute. Photo credit: NASA Glenn Research Center
Caption: Terry Slaybaugh, vice president of sites and infrastructure at JobsOhio. Photo credit: NASA Glenn Research Center
Caption: Wanda Peters, NASA GRC deputy center director. Photo credit: NASA Glenn Research Center
Caption: Director of NASA Glenn Research Center, Dr. James Kenyon. Photo credit: NASA Glenn Research Center
Nikki Welch, NASA GRC digital communications lead, spoke to finding a fit within an organization known for engineers and astronauts. Through her passion for storytelling, she has found her place within the organization that allows her to share the news and accomplishments of the NASA Glenn Research Center.
Caption: Nikki Welch, NASA GRC digital communications lead. Photo credit: John Jackson, Ohio Aerospace Institute
The center’s rich history of innovation continues through Dr. Tim Smith, a research materials engineer with the center, who led the effort to identify and develop a new alloy GRX-810 that can better withstand extreme heat and last longer than other state-of-the-art alloys. This new material is being licensed to select manufacturers within the United States.
Caption: Dr. Tim Smith, NASA GRC research materials engineer. Photo credit: NASA Glenn Research Center
The work of Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA/Orion ESM integration manager, involves international collaboration on NASA’s most high-profile project, the Artemis mission to return to the moon. Garcia-Galan shared his efforts managing the European Service Module (ESM) Integration and the international team working to design, build, and integrate the modules with their Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts to the moon.
Caption: Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA/Orion ESM integration manager. Photo credit: NASA Glenn Research Center
The presentations were well received, with audience members commenting that the event provided the opportunity to better understand and relate to what happens at NASA Glenn Research Center.
Evening with the Stars attendees also enjoyed an elegant reception, supported by generous sponsorship from industry and academia. Thank you to all our partners and sponsors who made this event a success!
Attendees enjoy the reception at the Evening with the Stars. Photo credit: John Jackson, Ohio Aerospace Institute
In the days since the event concluded, OAI is honored to have been recognized by the State of Ohio under the sponsorship of Representatives Bride Rose Sweeney and Thomas F. Patton for the exceptional effort and support for Evening with the Stars. OAI is proud to have assisted in this effort.
State of Ohio commendation to the Ohio Aerospace Institute
To learn about upcoming Parallax or OAI events, please visit: https://parallaxresearch.org/events
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Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects. More information on both organizations can be found at Parallax and OAI websites.