Keynote Speakers
Keynote speakers will be given a thirty-minute speech time slot for one of our three speech sessions during the Our Giant Leap Hackathon 2023.
Meet the Keynote Speakers!
Founder at Space 4 Innovation | GEO Indigenous Alliance | Organiser of “Indigenous Hackathons” since 2012
Diana Mastracci Sánchez is the founder of Space4Innovation, and the International Strategic Indigenous Liaison for the GEO Indigenous Alliance. Her research and advocacy focus on the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge and space technologies to empower social change initiatives. This work has taken her to some of the most extreme climates on the planet to work with and for Indigenous communities, such as the Inupiaq Peoples in the Alaskan Arctic and the Nenets in Siberia. She has over a decade of experience in the space sector and has previously worked for the Group on Earth Observations Secretariat, the European Space Agency, Oxford University, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. Her approach centres user needs and Indigenous ways of knowing to create frameworks, models, and networks that bridge the scientific and technology sector with minority communities around the world. She has presented her research at numerous conferences and was invited as a keynote speaker at Space4Economy, FOSS4G, the Open Data and Open Knowledge Workshop, The International Society for Professional Innovation Management Conference, and World Expo Dubai. She was also distinguished as an “Ideas to Impact |2|” Fellow at Said Business School, University of Oxford. Currently, she contributes her expertise to the Resilience Frontiers Technology Advisory Group, a groundbreaking UN initiative that shapes collective thinking toward a future enriched by science and technology.
Masterclass Trainers
Our Masterclass Trainers support Our Giant Leap Hackathon 2023 with their expertise and innovative daring ideas to inspire the hackers on their way to create and propose space solutions for gender equality on Earth!
This year, we cover the topics of Indigenous hacking, Earth Observation, Space Medicine, Telecom, Space Policy, and, of course, Gender Equality and SDG#5.
Meet the Masterclass Trainers!
The Masterclass Trainers of the “Indigenous Hackathon: Co-designing for Global Impact” Masterclass are Diana Mastracci Sanchez, Douglas Nyachwara Mbura, Dr. Miroslawa Alunowska Figueroa and Titus Letaapo.
Founder at Space 4 Innovation | GEO Indigenous Alliance | Organiser of “Indigenous Hackathons” since 2012
Engineer | Consultant | “Indigenous Hackathons” Winner
Dr. Miroslawa Alunowska Figueroa is a passionate Mexican engineer with a vision to bridge cutting-edge technology and its meaningful applications in society. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Driven by her commitment to understanding the impact of technology on society, Miroslawa pursued a Master’s degree in Engineering and a DPhil in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, focusing on leveraging artificial intelligence for social good and improving technological accessibility for reclaimed water management.
Miroslawa is also a dedicated advocate for gender equality and diversity in STEM fields and actively participates in initiatives promoting women’s representation in technology. She has a creative side, enjoying hobbies like yoga, ballet, fashion, and jewelry design, emphasizing the fusion of art and innovation.
As a trailblazer in technology and inclusivity, she has won two “Indigenous Hackathons” and collaborated extensively with the Samburu tribe in Kenya to co-design apps for their community. Driven by her dedication to a more equitable technological landscape, she currently works as a consultant for Space4Innovation to inspire future generations in the space sector to leave a lasting impact on society for a brighter, interconnected future.
GEO Indigenous Alliance founding member | Director of community and programs at the Sarara Foundation (TSF)
Titus Letaapo is a founding member of the GEO Indigenous Alliance and a champion of the community conservation model in Northern Kenya, with over 19 years in conservation and community development. Now support Namunyak wildlife Community Conservancy as Director of community and programs at the Sarara Foundation (TSF)
In this capacity, Titus has helped develop successful conservation strategies, spearheaded collaboration between the County Governments and communities, and played a key role in promoting peace between the different ethnic groups in Samburu and neighbouring communities. His work is not only helping create the conditions for sustainable socio-economic development, but also helping to conserve and protect critically endangered species.
TSF is a Kenya based NPO working to support a long-term paradigm shift designed to catalyze a healthy, resilient and prosperous landscape in which both indigenous people and wildlife can thrive for multiple generation to come.
“Through the Conservancy, communities in Namunyak are realizing the importance of wildlife conservation. They can now adequately manage their rangelands, boost their economies and promote sustainable development by protecting the diverse wildlife they share the landscape with”.
Founder and CEO of Geo-Appsmith | Engineer | Creator | Consultant
“My name is Douglas Mbura and I come from the Kisii Tribe in Western Kenya. I am an Engineer by profession, currently working with the County Government of Nyamira (Kenya) where I’m tasked with designing and developing systems for efficient delivery of water and sanitation services. I’m also the Founder and CEO of Geo-Appsmith, a location services company that specializes in creating meaningful insights from raw chaotic spatial and non-spatial data.
I have over 7 years of experience in GIS, Remote Sensing and Mapping, and I have worked as a Consultant with various international organizations such as the Conservation International (CI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), among others – where I have helped to create location-based solutions that delight.
In the recent past, I have been focusing on creating data collection, data sharing, and data visualization, story-telling, and mapping solutions for indigenous communities. For example, in 2020 at the height of COVID-19 Pandemic, I joined the GEO Indigenous Alliance and Indigenous leaders from around the world to create solutions to Earth Observation-based challenges that are culturally appropriate to Indigenous beliefs and conceptions about diseases. I helped create a First Prize Winning Solution for the Quilombola community in the Brazilian Amazon. My work has been featured by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and by the Space in Africa news channel. I’m also currently developing a visualization tool that will allow the Surui People of the Amazon to easily communicate to outside audiences where and how illegal activities are happening and their impacts on the community.”
The Masterclass Trainer of the Telecom Masterclass is Marwa Wazzi.
Senior advisor, Government Affairs and Public Policy at Telesat
Marwa is a senior advisor within Telesat’s government affairs and public policy team since 2020. She supports all of the company’s public sector engagement and stakeholder relations.
Prior to joining Telesat, Marwa was a Strategy and Economics Consultant at KPMG Canada, where she helped government and public sector clients identify and address key industrial issues and market trends, measure economic impacts, and develop strategic policy.
Marwa also worked in the financial services industry prior to consulting. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and is currently pursuing her MBA at HEC Montreal.
The Masterclass Trainers of the Space Medicine Masterclass are Dr. Sarita Dara and Dr. Priyanka Dhopade.
The Masterclass Trainers of the Space Medicine Masterclass are Dr. Sarita Dara and Dr. Priyanka Dhopade.
Lecturer | Engineer
Dr Priyanka Dhopade – Lecturer in Thermofluids, Department of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering.
Priyanka has a background in aerospace engineering and industrial research from the University of Oxford. Her current research at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland is in sustainable engineering with the use of lifecycle assessments and whole systems thinking. Her research explores the sustainability of space activity from a lifecycle perspective that accounts for the environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts of space technology.
Senior Medical Officer (Aviation Medicine) at CAA NZ | Certified Human Factors Professional (HFESNZ) | Academician IAASM | Space4Women Mentor (UNOOSA) | Homeward Bound STEMM Leadership Team 8
Dr. Sarita Dara is a physician dually qualified and experienced in Medicine and Engineering. She has an MD in Aerospace Medicine, a master’s degree in Space Sciences and PhD in Human Factors Engineering. She is also trained and experienced in Occupational Medicine, Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine and Public Health.
Sarita currently works as Senior Medical Officer, Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand and as a Space Medicine and Human Factors Consultant and Occupational Medicine Physician with Humane Factors Exponential Limited. With her current spectrum of work, Sarita looks after the health of “people at work” on Earth and beyond.
Sarita has worked as a physician, educator and researcher in India, USA, Singapore and New Zealand for over two decades. Sarita is an Academician with the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Aerospace Medicine, a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association (US) and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (UK).
Sarita is passionate about interdisciplinary and inclusive STEMM education and outreach focusing on Aerospace Sciences in New Zealand as well as internationally. She is currently appointed as Mentor of Space4Women, an initiative of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs to promote gender equality and diversity in space sector. Sarita is one of the 108 women from 17 countries, to have been selected to participate in the 2023 global STEMM leadership program “Homeward Bound 8”. Through UNOOSA’s Space4Women and other outreach programs including Homeward Bound, Sarita continues her work towards increasing accessibility and opportunities for the next generation to launch their space and STEMM careers.
The Masterclass Trainer of the UN SDG#5 Masterclass is Dr. Adriana Cursino Thomé.
Senior Technologyst at the International Cooperation Office at the Ministry of Science | Technology and Innovation of Brazil (MCTI) | UNOOSA Space for Women Mentor
Adriana Cursino Thomé holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of São Carlos – UFSCar (1994), a Master’s Degree in Applied Computing to Space Technologies and Applications from the National Institute for Space Research – INPE (1998), a Doctorate in Applied Computing to Space Technologies and Applications from the National Institute of Space Research – INPE (2004), a Specialization in Strategic Management of Science and Technology in Public Research Institutes from the Getulio Vargas Foundation – FGV (2012), and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) at the University of London (2020).
In the field of Computer Science, she was involved mainly in the software engineering area. She worked for many years as a university professor and in 2009 joined the public service as a technologist at INPE. At INPE she worked in the areas of Strategic Planning and International Cooperation. She also served as the Head of the International Relations Office at INPE from November 2016 to April 2020 and as Deputy Head of Staff at INPE from October 2017 to April 2020.
She currently works at the Office of International Affairs at the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI). In the international relations field, she has been actively participating for some years now as a Brazilian delegate in the Sessions of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and in its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) as well.
Another area that she has been active is related to the empowerment of women in the space field. In this regard, one activity that she was particularly involved in was the organization of the United Nations/Brazil/UAE Space for Women Expert Meeting, held in Dubai in October 2021.
The Masterclass Trainer of the Space Policy Masterclass is Mclee Kerolle.
Space Lawyer | Ascend’s 2022 Diverse Dozen Recipient | Government Affairs Manager
Mclee Kerolle (pronounced Mac-lee Ca-roll), hailing from New York, is a graduate of the International Institute of Air and Space Law at Leiden University where he wrote his Masters thesis on the regulation of commercial spaceports worldwide. While his thesis was inspired by Spaceport America, it specifically focused on the proposed spaceports in Hawaii and Curacao. During his time at Leiden, Mclee worked at the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) where his responsibilities focused on researching third party liability issues associated with commercial human spaceflight. He also served as the Executive Secretary for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and is an inaugural member of their Effective and Adaptive Governance for a Lunar Ecosystem (E.A.G.L.E.) Action Team. His work with E.A.G.L.E. resulted in a Lunar Charter Report being presented at the United Nations’ Office of Outer Space Affairs Legal Subcommittee in the summer of 2021. Mclee acts as the Mentorship Coordinator for the Space Court Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that specializes in promoting space law and policy education, and is also the Program Director for the Caribbean Space Society – a working group of the Institute of Caribbean Studies that aims to establish a unified Caribbean Space Agenda.
Mentors
During the Our Giant Leap Hackathon 2023, in-person mentors will accompany hackers for their projects, in the following fields and skills:
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5
- Gender equality advocacy
- Satellite Data Utilisation & Earth Observation
- Telecommunications
- Space Medicine
- Space Policy
- How to make a pitch
- Teamwork, project management, organisation and leadership skills
Meet the mentors!
Online Mentors
Alina Vizireanu, a seasoned geospatial professional, brings a wealth of experience from roles across the UK, Belgium, and Romania. Currently, she leads as Geospatial Manager at Milton Keynes City Council, UK, overseeing a dynamic team, technical platforms, and geospatial data maintenance for various departments.
Beyond her professional scope, Alina is dedicated to guiding young talent’s growth. She’s an active mentor in global programs, and as a volunteer with the British Cartographic Society, she empowers youth resilience through geospatial education.
Furthermore, Alina is a co-founder of a school in Luanda, Angola, welcoming pro-bono over 500 children, and two startups driven by her knowledge and passion for Earth Observation and space education: AVINTERRA Consulting UK and, respectively, AIM Space in Romania. In 2022, Alina was recognised by the International Astronautical Federation as an Emerging Space Leader and holds a Master’s in Geomorphology and Cartography from the University of Bucharest, Romania. She continued to broaden her expertise through institutions like the International Space University and European Space Agency.
Camille has a double Master degree in Aeronautic and Aerospace Engineering from EPF, France and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, FL, US. She started her career at Thales Alenia Space, Cannes as an Attitude and Orbit Control Flight Software validation engineer for Telecommunication satellites then worked for 12 years at MDA in Canada on Canadian radar Earth Observation (EO) missions (RADARSAT-2 -R2- and RADARSAT Constellation Mission – RCM-) in EO satellite operations. From spacecraft engineer to RCM launch flight director and deputy mission manager, she was exposed to all areas of satellite operations (customer ordering, mission planning, satellite control and recovery, , collision avoidance mitigation, flight dynamic, image processing and delivery, image quality assessment, ground segment maintenance and integration/testing, launch Exercise and Rehearsal, Launch/LEOP and commissioning, etc…). Passionate about sharing experience and knowledge, she led 2 major satellite operations training. After a sabbatical year, she is now back in Europe as a contractor for ESA on the ESTEC premises, overseeing Sentionel-3 satellite health and performance. In her free time, you can find her in remote areas, enjoying simple life in nature and exchanging with remote communities. Recently she has started a big 1780’s house renovation project and participated in a few exhibitions with her paintings.
In-person Mentors
Space Medicine Mentors
Clinical Pharmacist | Consultant of Space Life Science | Regional Coordinator Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population – Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) – SGAC
Ahmed is a clinical pharmacist, at Shoubrakhit Public Hospital, a Consultant of Space Life Science at the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA), a clinical pharmacist and (part-time) hospital manager at Dr. Ahmed Abdul Aziz hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, and a former teaching associate at the space sciences department at the International Space University (ISU) in Granada, Spain. Ahmed is interested in genetics, neuroscience, space neuroscience, and space sciences, and he is devoted to his childhood dream of transforming humanity into a multi-planet species.
Ahmed holds many prestigious international space awards to name a few: the 2022 AMSRO Diversity Scholarship Award, the 2022 AsMA International Aerospace Medicine Scholarship, the 2022 SGAC Global Grant Award, the 2021 IAF Emerging Space Leaders Award, the 2021 Space Medicine Association International Scholarship, the 2019 African Space Leaders Award, as well as, he has been classified as one of the top 10 under 30 in the space industry in Africa.
Besides these activities, Ahmed is an active member of many space professional organizations like the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), Aerospace Medicine Student and Resident Organization (AMSRO), the Space Medicine Association (SMA), the Planetary Society, the Mars Society, the Moon Village Association (MVA), Society for Neuroscience, the Egyptian Pharmacist Syndicate, and Alexandria Syndicate of Pharmacists.
Project Manager at ETH Zürich| MSc in Biomedical Engineering at ETH Zürich
Specializing in medical technologies for human spaceflight, Ilaria is committed to enabling the future of humankind exploring deep space and to investigating the role this endeavor plays in improving and protecting the health of communities on Earth.
Academically, Ilaria is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich). As part of her studies, she completed two training courses related to space medicine at ESA Academy as well as a traineeship with the European Space Agency’s Space Medicine Team at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany. There, she contributed to the development of a comprehensive medical system for the upcoming crewed exploration missions to the Moon and beyond. Next to her university studies, she is currently working part-time as a project manager at ETH Zürich’s Institute for Astrophysics. In that position, she manages a team of engineers and scientists that contributes to the world’s largest radio telescope which is currently being built in South Africa. To round up her professional and academic profile, she has actively engaged in various space-related endeavors such as space analog missions, outreach activities and mentorship programs.
Space Policy Mentors
Student, Schulich School of Law – Dalhousie University
Dominik is a 3rd year law student at Dalhousie University and the National Point of Contact for SGAC Canada. Passionate about ensuring our space environment remains collaborative and accessible, Dominik is conducting research on lunar safety zones and orbital debris. Currently a senior law student at intio (Dalhousie’s Law and Technology legal clinic), Dominik is excited to make legal services more accessible to start ups.
Telecom Mentors
Hardware Design Specialist, Kepler Communications
Space Tech & Gender Equality Mentor
Senior Technologist, Multilateral General Coordination, International Office Affairs
Adriana Cursino Thomé holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of São Carlos – UFSCar (1994), a Master’s Degree in Applied Computing to Space Technologies and Applications from the National Institute for Space Research – INPE (1998), a Doctorate in Applied Computing to Space Technologies and Applications from the National Institute of Space Research – INPE (2004), a Specialization in Strategic Management of Science and Technology in Public Research Institutes from the Getulio Vargas Foundation – FGV (2012), and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) at the University of London (2020).
In the field of Computer Science, she was involved mainly in the software engineering area. She worked for many years as a university professor and in 2009 joined the public service as a technologist at INPE. At INPE she worked in the areas of Strategic Planning and International Cooperation. She also served as the Head of the International Relations Office at INPE from November 2016 to April 2020 and as Deputy Head of Staff at INPE from October 2017 to April 2020.
She currently works at the Office of International Affairs at the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI). In the international relations field, she has been actively participating for some years now as a Brazilian delegate in the Sessions of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and in its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) as well.
Another area that she has been active is related to the empowerment of women in the space field. In this regard, one activity that she was particularly involved was the organization of the United Nations/Brazil/UAE Space for Women Expert Meeting, held in Dubai in October 2021.
Jury Members
Senior Scientist & director FOR the Earth and planetary Image facility, Head of Israel’s UN-Spider RSO, Ben Gurion University of the Negev
Dr. Maman is a senior scientist in the Homeland Security Institute and director of the Earth and Planetary Image Facility (EPIF), both at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Her research deals with the application of satellite technologies (remote sensing, GIS, OSINT) to environmental challenges and climate change. She is an integral part of the research team leading BGUSAT, Israel’s first research nanosatellite.
She also serves as a UN-SPIDER expert and heads the Israeli Regional Support Office of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response. And is a member of the IAF Earth Observations Committee.
Previously she served as the board director of D-mars, and is a founding board member of WiSpace, a women’s association promoting gender equity among Israeli STEM professionals and was appointed by UNOOSA as a mentor in the SPACE4WOMEN Network. Currently on the board of directors of the Ramon Foundation. Maman leads diverse education and outreach programs promoting Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), using hands-on research activities, at both the national and international scales, including the unique, all-girl, international remote sensing science program: She Space. For that, she received the Excellence in 3G Diversity Award at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress. In 2023, Dr. Maman was recognized as one of the 50 most influential women In Israel by Globes
Quote by Dr. Maman:
“Although it is a vast, icy void, I think space holds unique opportunities for dreamers unafraid to boldly face meaningful challenges“.
Jury members will review and evaluate the ideas proposed by all hacker teams are based on the following criteria:
1. Strict demands (for all projects)
– Achieving Goal #5 of the SDGs;
– Using space technology and/or know-how in the proposed project;
2. Other criteria
– Is the project considering what space policies should be leveraged and how, to support their solution, or gender equality in remote areas more globally? Higher scores will be given to the projects that consider space policy as part of their overall proposal;
– Originality (of the idea and presentation) and innovation;
– The project has to have made a significant impact* for gender equality by
2030.
*evaluated based on the following question: “Will the project have eliminated some form(s)
or aspect(s) of gender inequality for at least one remote community in the world?”