International Observe the Moon Night Team

Staci Horvath is the Director of International Observe the Moon Night. She is also the Outreach Coordinator for the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Staci loves to incite wonder in others through public engagement activities; being an information link between the world of planetary science and the public is something she is incredibly passionate about.

Caela Barry is Deputy Director of International Observe the Moon Night, specializing in website work and digital communications. She works with research teams at Goddard Space Flight Center and the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute to support and expand public access to NASA science.

One of the founders of International Observe the Moon Night, Brian Day is the Lead for Citizen Science and Community Development at the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI). In this role, he coordinates programs with numerous internal and external partnering organizations, focusing on providing opportunities for students and the public to directly participate in NASA science and exploration. He currently acts as SSERVI’s project manager for Solar System Treks, a set of tools designed for mission planning, lunar science, and public outreach.

Theresa Summer has been active in astronomy education since 1998. At the ASP since 2016, she has been developing programs to spread astronomy and science literacy around the globe. Theresa is the creator of the “Confidence & Curiosity: Girls at the Telescope” workshop and award winning video series, as part of NASA's Girl Scouts Reaching for the Stars, the team that produced the GS Space Science badges. With a specific focus on social justice and increasing opportunities for marginalized voices, Theresa’s secret mission in life is to make science more welcoming to all.

Sanlyn Buxner leads the evaluation team for International Observe the Moon Night. She is a senior research scientist and senior education and communication specialist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, AZ. She works on several NASA and NSF funded projects in Earth and Space Science. She is passionate about supporting youth, families, and communities to engage in astronomy and planetary science.

Vi Nguyen is the Visual Designer for International Observe the Moon Night. She also supports communications and STEM outreach for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She strives to delight users by transforming challenging concepts into meaningful, accessible visual experiences.

Emily Joseph is a Research Specialist at the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Lab in Tucson, AZ where she works on several different kinds of projects - both planetary research and education.

Maya Bakerman is an education outreach specialist and data analyst at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, AZ, where she works with the evaluation team for International Observe the Moon Night. She holds a bachelor’s degree in community education outreach from the University of Arizona and is passionate about making science engaging and accessible. Maya strives to inspire wonder through public engagement activities, believing that space exploration is a journey of discovery and a reflection of our innate curiosity. She is thrilled to be part of the International Observe the Moon Night team, helping others connect with the awe and mystery of the universe.

Julie Fooshee is a student and researcher at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland where she works with festivals and events across the United Kingdom. She is excited about being the International part of International Observe the Moon Night! One of her favorite ways to view the Moon is out in the Highlands with her dog.