Option 2: Women in Aerospace
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Andrea Marks:Ìý
Andrea Marks joined the Sierra Space team in 2022 and serves as a Program Manager within Sierra Space’s Destinations sector, where she leads the Utilization Integrated Product Team (IPT). As the Utilization IPT lead, Andrea is responsible for managing a cross-functional team of systems, mechanical, and software engineers through the design, development, testing, and integration of habitational, operational, and robotic systems within the Sierra Space LIFE habitat. Specifically, Andrea and her team develop solutions to support cutting edge scientific research and payload operations, and innovative systems to create a robust architecture for crew habitation, performance, and socio-psychological wellbeing.Ìý
ÌýAndrea is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of developing highly skilled and efficient teams to deliver successful technical outcomes. Andrea joined the aerospace industry after working 8 years in various engineering roles within the medical device field, specifically within biotechnology research and development.Ìý
Most recently, Andrea served as a Senior Research Engineer at Integra LifeSciences, where she led an advanced research and development group, which developed revolutionary tissue technologies for complex wound, burn, and surgical applications. Andrea has been a key player in developing regenerative technologies and holds four patents in the biotechnology field, two of which she is the sole inventor on.Ìý
ÌýAndrea has a Masters in Human Factors from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where she graduated with honors and focused her studies on space station design and human habitation in space. She also earned a Bachelors in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and as an undergraduate, was awarded funding to develop a proprietary hydrogel for osteoarthritic applications.Ìý
ÌýAndrea has always been passionate about space and is elated to have the opportunity to drive the future of space station design and human habitation in space. In her free time Andrea is an avid rock climber and can generally be found exploring in the Colorado mountains. AndreaÌý is looking forward to influencing the new age of space exploration and habitancy, and is honored to be a part of the first WOAA conference at CU.Ìý
Lan Nyugen:
Lan Nguyen is a manufacturing engineer at Ball Aerospace. She has been fortunate enough to spend her two years in the aerospace industry working on the Orion program for the Artemis missions. (The missions that will land the first woman on the moon!) Prior to the aerospace industry, Lan worked 3 years in the oilfield in places such as North Dakota, California, Oklahoma, and even the Middle East.Ìý She studied undergrad at Tulane University on a Beach Volleyball scholarship and graduated with a degree in Engineering Physics. She is passionate about encouraging women in STEM and is part of several mentoring programs that work directly with female engineering students. She is also the Aerospace divisional lead for the Asian Ball Network (ABN) at Ball/Ball Aerospace.Ìý
Bailey Burns:Ìý
Bailey Burns is an Aerospace Systems Engineer at Blue Origin working on Crew Systems and EVA for the SLD Lunar Lander contract. With a previous background in Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS), Bailey focuses on that sweet spot of human spaceflight that keeps humans alive, comfortable, and happy while in space or on the surface of the Moon.Ìý
ÌýÌýBailey earned her B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and M.Sc. in Space Resources, both from the Colorado School of Mines. She has worked in human spaceflight for three years in areas such as HLS, Space Tourism, and Gateway. She also has a background in lunar dust mitigation. Bailey is an analog astronaut completing missions both at HI-SEAS and SAM facilities as Crew Engineer. She is a trainer with the SpaceKind Foundation on a space leadership development course to bring growth and awareness to those in the industry. Her passion is bridging the gap between technical space and STEM with the holistic and big picture worldview, ultimately helping those who may go to space return to Earth with a larger mission. Bailey is also a Rubik’s Cube Ambassador where she solved a Rubik’s Cube on a Zero Gravity flight in under 19 seconds. Great training if we ever need a Rubik’s Cube solved in space!Ìý
Madisen Purifoy-Frie:Ìý
Madisen Purifoy-Frie is a dedicated Human Spaceflight Systems Engineer currently employed at Special Aerospace Services (SAS) in Boulder, Colorado. She is presently contracted to Sierra Space in Louisville, Colorado as a Systems Safety Engineer working on projects like the Dream Chaser and Orbital Reef/Life Habitat.
In 2022, Madisen Purifoy-Frie achieved a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the °ÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û2023¿ª½±¼Ç¼ and she aspires to further her education by embarking on a Master's program in the near future. Throughout her academic journey at CU, her contributions spanned various organizations, including the Engineering Dean's Board Advisors, Sounding Rocket Laboratory (SRL), Space Grant Consortium, Discovery Learning Apprenticeship (DLA), Women of Aerospace and Aeronautics(WoAA), an internship at Altius Space Machines, and more.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Madisen has a passion for painting, paddleboarding on mountain lakes, and cooking for her friends and family. In moments of leisure, she finds joy in taking care of her cat, Valkyrie. Madisen Purifoy-Frie's career is a testament to her dedication to advancing human spaceflight. In a traditionally male-dominated field, she aims to serve as an empowering role model, inspiring others, particularly women, to dream big and aim for the stars.
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