NASA Mentor:
Faculty Advisor:
Nujoud Merancy
Bio - I have a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Washington and an MS in Systems Engineering from the University of Houston- Clear Lake. I went into college with the intention of working in the aerospace field and working at NASA was always the ‘dream job’. Since college, I spent 7 years as a contractor working on the International Space Station and the last 2 years on the Orion Project to build America’s next human capable vehicle. I am still amazed to be working as a part of the NASA family even now.
Faculty Advisor:
Professor Lucia Riderer
Education:
~ M.A. Mathematics, 2005 California State University, San Bernardino
~ B.S. Physics, 1987 Babes Bolyai University, Romania
~ Mrs. Riderer joined the faculty of the Department of Mathematics at Citrus College in 2005. She is presently teaching Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus and Physics.
Other Interests - Professor Riderer is dedicated to help her students succeed. She is especially interested in increasing the number of women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). For more information, visit http://www.citruscollege.edu/academics/wim.
In the News - http://www.theclariononline.com/grant-awarded-from-mathematical-association-of-america-1.2234229
Student Team Members:
Age - 22
Major - Applied Math
Year - Sophomore
Role - Team Captain, Flight Crew
Bio - I always struggled in high school, bringing home bad report cards. Because of my perseverance, help from amazing teachers, and love and support from my family I was able to turn my academic career around. I am now Vice President of Service at the Beta Nu Eta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa as well as Team Captain of the Reduced Gravity Opportunity, and I have found a new love of mathematics. I want to teach and inspire students the way I was inspired. The aspect of this program I am looking most forward to is the academic outreach, because we have an opportunity to spark a new interest for science and mathematics in the kids we talk to.
Randall Acosta
Age - 21
Major - Aerospace Engineering
Year - Sophomore
Role - 1/2 of the Manufacturing sub-committee, Ground Crew, Alternate Flyer
Bio - My name is Randall Acosta, and I am a Sophomore currently attending Citrus College. Being Asian, I was really only left with two choices for my future: become either an engineer, or a business major. Perhaps, I could have found success as a badminton player (humor intended), but seeing as how mathematics and science have always been by strong suits, engineering seemed to be much more applicable to my taste of interest. When I initially graduated from high school, I took a year off before deciding to come to Citrus. The reason for this was because I felt obligated to get a job in order to assist my family's financial situation. Fortunately, when I began attending Citrus College, I was able to earn a job as a mathematics tutor, an occupation which I highly value. I was able continue my education, as well as continue helping my family. As of now, I am still on my path to becoming an engineer, and I will enjoy the experiences that may come with it. This very project is an example of the opportunities my field of study has to offer, and these opportunities are what motivate me to continue on my chosen path.
Jackie Deeb
Age - 19
Major - Chemical Engineering
Year - Sophomore
Role - 1/2 of the Fundraiser sub-committee, Flight Crew
Bio - When I entered the fourth grade, my parents decided to home-school me. At first, it was a struggle on both sides. My parents tried to find good coursework and I struggled with completing my assigned work as I would daydream all the time. As I entered high school, I took a two-year long advanced biology course. It was in that class that I started to do my homework without being forced to and first found my love for science. In my junior year of high school, I started attending Citrus College and completing my general education. My self-motivation grew more and more as I grew older. Attending Citrus full-time after graduating, I intended on majoring in Animal Science in preparation for being a veterinarian. But, the more math classes I took, I found my love for the subject grew, along with my love for science. Now, I will be transferring in Fall 2011 to Cal Poly Pomona as a Chemical Engineering major. I love anything to do with math and science! I currently work as a Peer Mentor through the Focus on Calculus Program, and am actively involved in the Women in Mathematics Program at Citrus College.
Gabriel Grier
Major - Advertising
Year - Sophomore
Role - 1/2 of the External Relations sub-committee, Flight Crew
Bio - I'm a student at Citrus College with a great interest in various visual arts. I love drawing, writing, and playing sports as well as anything related to computers. My creative background was a great asset to the Citrus Graviteam and was essential in many of the phases of the projects design, from the team's logo to the 3d visuals for our experiment.
I graduated from Claremont High in 2006 with decent grades but no clear direction of my career path and future. I always knew I wanted an art related major but I also sought a major that was more business-oriented.. I decided upon the field of advertising and after attending a Saturday-high course at Art Center of Pasadena my drive towards education was intensified.
Despite my rocky start into college life, since attending Citrus I've made a solid commitment to educational excellence and am currently in my 2nd year enrolled as a full time student. I'm still deciding on the right 4 year institute to attend after I finish the requirements for my AA degree. I feel greatly entitled to be part of this experience and hope for nothing but success for myself and my team!
Wesley Gunter
Age - 19
Major - Mechanical Engineering
Year - Sophomore
Role - 1/2 of the External Relations sub-committee, Flight Crew
Bio - I am the product of homeschooling. On the Graviteam I assisted with calculations for our experiment, helped draft the designs for the structure, and contributed to the fabrication of the prototype. I will be transferring to Cal Poly Pomona in fall of 2011 to the Mechanical Engineering department. I have a great interest in mathematics and science. I work at the STEM Center as an supplemental instruction leader and tutor for General Chemistry. I have a 3rd degree black belt in Hapkido, and I also love to draw and play the piano. I am honored to be chosen to represent Citrus College in this endeavor. This has been such a wonderful experience; I have thoroughly enjoyed the good times I have spent with this team. I look forward to the challenges that await me!
Branden Han
Age - 19
Major - Organic Chemistry
Year - Sophomore
Role - 1/2 of the Manufacturing sub-committee, Ground Crew
Bio - It was difficult picking a single major because I love all of science and math, especially chemistry and physics. I am hoping to transfer to a four-year university and after go to medical school. My end career goal is an Emergency Room doctor and to work part time in a free clinic. I am glad to be apart of the Citrus GraviTeam for this NASA program because I know it will help me grow as a person through experience and hard work. Everyone on this team is hard working, fun, and dedicated and I am lucky to be surrounded by such a great team. Hopefully, my knowledge and past experiences will help propel the Citrus GraviTeam in the right direction for future!
Joshua Huffaker
Age - 21
Major - BiologyYear - Sophomore
Role - 1/2 of the Academic Outreach sub-committee, Ground Crew
Bio - Ad astra per aspera, or to the stars through difficulty. This has been my motto since I overcame severe depression in high school. I went from being absent to taking an extra class before and after school, as well as dual enrolling at a community college. The high school I attended was a special school focused on science. It was there that I found my love for science, from biology to robotics, I learned whatever I could. That passion for science and learning has followed me to Citrus and in my dream of going to UCSD as a biology major and eventually their medical school specializing in neurology.
Harrison Ruiz
Age - 22
Major - Physics
Year - Sophomore
Role - 1/2 of the Academic Outreach sub-committee, Ground Crew
Bio - I have been a student at Citrus College for a few years now. I originally started as a Chemical Engineering major but switched to Physics after discovering my interest in the subject two years ago. I worked as a Peer Mentor through the Focus on Calculus program for a year helping students with trigonometry and precalculus. I also spent last summer at the University of Nevada Las Vegas working on research in high pressure materials physics. I currently work as a Supplemental Instruction Leader for chemistry. I spend most of my time at school, working, and at the gym. I hope to one day pursue a PhD in Physics and either work in research or teach. Phoebe Sulzen
Major - Math
Year - Junior
Role - 1/2 of the Fundraiser sub-committee, Flight Crew
Bio - I love life, spending time with family and friends, and learning new things; my goal in life is to make a difference in the lives of those around me! :) My mom homeschooled me from kindergarten through high school, and because of her, I loved school and learning from kindergarten on. After high school, I attended Citrus for 2 1/2 years to earn my associates degree, and I am currently pursuing a degree in pure mathematics at Cal State LA while taking a few classes at Citrus. My dream is to teach math when I get my degree while staying as involved in math and science as possible. I want to make a difference in students' lives like my teachers have done for me and help them know that they can go out in the world and succeed. :) I love math and science, and the opportunity to work with such an awesome team of motivated students from Citrus College on this NASA project is super exciting! :) I am so happy and proud to represent the school I love with my Citrus GraviTeam!
