Meet the stellar team organizing the 5th North and Central American Space Generation Workshop
Event Managers
Andrea Dekovic
(Chile | Mexico)
Andrea is a tech entrepreneur based in Montreal. She is the founder and director of Las Flores Web3, a pioneering binational initiative merging blockchain, AI, and Web3 with the film industry. With a strong background in tech and innovation, Andrea has organized and hosted events, fostering discussions on emerging technologies. She has also led hackathons in Mexico and the U.S., bringing together developers, creatives, and entrepreneurs to solve real-world challenges. Passionate about education and inclusivity, she actively works to reduce the gender gap in Web3. Andrea has spoken at international conferences, collaborated with government and industry leaders, strengthening connections between art, technology, and science.
Noordeep Cheema
(Canada | India)
Noordeep, a third-year Aerospace Engineering student at Toronto Metropolitan University specializing in Space Systems, is on a mission to shape the future of space exploration—one event at a time. Her leadership journey spans across multiple organizations—serving as Director of Large Events at SEDS-Canada, where she plays a pivotal role in the NASA Space Apps Challenge and the Canadian Space Conference, and contributing to TMU’s Aerospace Course Union (ACU) and CASI TMU Branch to host career-shaping events for students. She thrives on collaboration, seamlessly balancing technical expertise from her experience as Aerostructures Lead with MET Rocketry with her event-planning finesse. Beyond her professional pursuits, Noordeep finds joy in creativity and adventure. Whether she’s capturing galaxies on canvas, traveling to new destinations, or belting out Luke Combs’ country hits at concerts, she embraces life with boundless enthusiasm.
Programme Team
Joel Gagnon
(Canada)
Joel Gagnon first dreamed of the stars as a young boy growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His passion for space led him to pursue a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics degree with a minor in Astrophysics from the University of Minnesota. He went on to earn a Master of Aerospace Engineering degree from McGill University, and later completed a Certificate in Business from Queen’s University. Joel spent 3 years working on hypersonic propulsion technologies at Space Engine Systems in Edmonton, Alberta, and is now a Thermal Flow Application Analyst at Maya HTT in Montreal, Quebec. Joel currently serves as a National Point of Contact for Canada at the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and has been a proud member since 2019. Through SGAC, he continues to connect with and learn from space enthusiasts from around the world. He is passionate about discovering ways to improve life on Earth using space technologies. Joel lives an active lifestyle and is a retired NCAA and Canadian National Team gymnast. In his free time, he enjoys running, biking, hiking, yoga, travelling and drinking speciality coffee.
Cristina Pérez Ramos
(Mexico)
Cristina is an engineering professional and a PhD candidate in Space Science and Technology at the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE) where she works on trajectory planning for autonomous navigation in a lunar rover. She is the Mexico Point of Contact for SGAC. Cristina has been a speaker at different national and international conferences, has been a mentor in NASA Space Apps Challenges and has stood out as a pioneer in space robotics in her country. Cristina has received multiple awards for her contributions from the British Council and the Government of Mexico. In her free time, Cristina likes to work as a volunteer supporting STEM outreach for students, co-founded the “Latin American Society of Astronautics, Aerospace and Space Exploration” and as an advocate for inclusion and diversity she leads the IEEE Women in Engineering group at INAOE. Her main interests are space robotics, artificial intelligence in solving space problems, control, optimization, scientific outreach, and promoting women in STEaM.
Delegate Team
Kartikey Grover
(Canada)
Kartikey holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Cellular, Molecular, and Microbial Biology from the University of Calgary. He has experience supporting long-term health research studies, clinical research finance, and life sciences research. Passionate about the intersection of life sciences and space, he is particularly interested in space medicine and astronaut health. He believes that fostering innovation and supporting startups in the life sciences sector are crucial to advancing medical technologies for both space and Earth applications. In his free time, Kartikey enjoys watching fantasy and sci-fi shows and reading books on astronomy and astrophysics.
Bernardo Algarín Terrazas
(Mexico)
Bernardo is an aeronautical engineer from Chihuahua, Mexico. His career has been divided between two sectors, electronics manufacturing and mechanical design industry, and now he is a design engineer for an air filtration solutions company. Bernardo is a science and technology enthusiastic, a NASA Space Apps local lead from Chihuahua City and loves to organize events in his community and expand the interest of the people in aerospace technology.
Logistics Team
Alan Soto
(Mexico)
Alan Soto is a Stress Liaison Engineer at Altitude Aerospace, where he specializes in structural analysis for Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer commercial aircraft. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Physics from the Autonomous University of Chihuahua. Passionate about space systems and satellite technology, he served as a Student Team Leader for the Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem of Mexico’s AzTechSat-1 mission in collaboration with NASA, overseeing critical readiness reviews and orbital mechanics simulation analyses. He has also worked on other independent research initiatives with a focus on satellite coverage analysis, mission operations, and the application of physical principles for remote sensing and space mining projects. Beyond his technical experience, Alan is actively engaged in the global space community.
Nesrine BenchoubaneNesrine Benchoubane
(Canada)
Nesrine is a Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal, specializing in space system cybersecurity. Her research focuses on strengthening Space Situational Awareness (SSA) by securing satellite communication links and mitigating cyber threats in the link segment. She also explores the offloading of specific functions on on-orbit assets to enhance system performance, resilience, and efficiency in space operations. Nesrine is an active member of the IEEE P3349 – Space System Cybersecurity Working Group, contributing to the Link Segment subcommittee and supporting the development of the cybersecurity standard; critical to ensuring the security and reliability of space systems.
Communications Team
Emmanuel Kyei Twumasi
(Ghana)
Emmanuel is an innovative engineer with a passion for space technology and its transformative potential. As the Co-Founder and CTO of 14Space Engineering, he aims to address socio-economic challenges in developing economies through technology. His strong leadership qualities and extensive work in the tech space have earned him a reputation for empowering others, inspiring innovation, and making impactful contributions. As a Mars Society Ambassador, Emmanuel continues to advocate for space exploration and its far-reaching benefits.
Local Organizing Committee Team
Chao-Ting Cheng
(China (Taipei))
Chao-Ting Cheng is a lawyer and an LLM graduate in Air and Space Law from McGill University. His research focuses on developing an international legal framework for space accident investigations. He is a member of the Taiwan Space Generation and was a finalist in the Student Paper Competition at the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety Conference, where he presented on the relevant international law governing space accident investigations. He has also presented at the 2024 Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry. He previously practiced law at Jones Day’s Taipei office, specializing in global dispute resolution. He also holds a master’s degree in Science and Technology Studies, with a focus on the technical and legal controversies surrounding aviation accident investigations.
