You might know that the NASA PUNCH mission is designed to study the Sun, but who are the people that
make it all happen? Hundreds of people work together to make a space science mission successful. Get to know some of our team here!
To create these cards we asked our teammates about their role on the mission. These
roles are divided into four categories. Click on the icons below to see who is in each category.
We also asked our teammates to “choose an animal that reflects an aspect of their
personality or behavior that they feel is especially important for doing their PUNCH mission work.” Click
on the icons below to see who chose these animals.
Mission Management Team: Oversees and guides all aspects of PUNCH to ensure mission success.
Mission Development Team: Supports the mission, including design and development of the four PUNCH spacecraft and their components.
Science Team: Conducts and coordinates scientific research that uses PUNCH data to learn new things about the Sun's corona and heliosphere.
Outreach Team: Collaborates with the whole PUNCH team to create products and events that inspire diverse people to learn about NASA science.
Tasnim Alshuli is a PUNCH outreach advisor. On the card front, she is wearing a traditional Muslim hijab and
standing in front of a tree with mountains in the background lit by a low sun.
On the card back, Tasnim (she/her) says of her role: As an outreach advisor I provide expertise
related to visual impairments and blindness. Together we increase diversity and opportunities for inclusion in science. Her
adjectives are: Ambitious, God-conscious, Kind, Practical, and Poised. Fun sun fact: My Islamic faith is filled with science about
the natural world, particularly astronomy. The Holy Quran says: 'It is Allah who made the Sun a shining light and the moon a
derived light and determined for it phases - that you may know the number of years and account of time.' - translation of verse 10:5.
Words that help guide me: 'For indeed, with hardship will be ease. Indeed, with hardship will be ease.' - translation of Holy Quran verse 94:5-6.
Inspiring animal: Like an eagle I am determined to soar high with resilience through storms to help pave the way for
blind and low-vision learners in STEM.
Joe Aragon is a PUNCH cultural consultant. On the his card front, he is dressed in Southwest
Native American clothing while standing in front of one of his favorite places.
On the card back, Joe (he/him) says of his role: As a cultural consultant I help
to provide Native American cultural awareness related to the study of the Sun. I use my education in physics and math to create activities
that allow young people to learn about NASA science in culturally relevant ways. His adjectives are: Inquisitive, Open, and Willing to share.
Fun sun fact: The Sun provides heat, light, electrical power, and helps us to grow food. When I was a newborn child, my family introduced me
to the Sun with my first traditional name. This began my lifelong way of being thankful for the Sun's gifts. Words that help guide me:
'Respect everyone's opinion, because they know something - however small - that you do not.' - Joe Aragon Sr. (my father). Inspiring
animal: My mother's clan is the Eagle Clan. The eagle inspires me to do my best for the world and all living things.
Jennifer Campbell is a PUNCH mission planner. On her card front, she is joyfully jumping barefoot in
front of a rainbow.
On the card back, Jennifer (she/her) says of her role: As the PUNCH Mission Planner, I manage
the schedule, resources, and budget for the PUNCH mission. I help ensure we get PUNCH to the launchpad on time (we’ve got
a rocket to catch!). Her adjectives are: Clever, Bouncy, Focused, Helpful, Fun-loving. Fun sun fact: Our mission combines
images from four earth-orbiting spacecraft to make 3-D images of ALL the space between the Sun and Earth. We put all the
data together like a puzzle to see what no other mission has ever seen! Words that help guide me: We aim for perfection,
but we adjust for reality in the moment. Inspiring animal: To do my job well, I identify with an octopus for its clever
adaptability and grace.
Robin Colaninno is the PUNCH Near Field Instrument (NFI) lead. On her card front,
she is standing in front of a pretty lake.
On the card back, Robin (she/her) says of her role: As the NFI Instrument Lead
I am responsible for the Narrow Field Imager (NFI or "niffy"), a PUNCH instrument that makes images of the solar
atmosphere near the Sun. I provide leadership at the interface between our science goals and the engineering that
makes the instrument possible. Her adjectives are: Curious, Persistent, and Creative. Fun sun fact: Every second,
tons of material from the Sun streaks outward into space. This "solar wind" creates a giant bubble around the whole
Solar System called the heliosphere, which has its own "space weather"! Words that help guide me: "I was born not
knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard P. Feynman. Inspiring animal:
Many days it seems like what we do on the mission team is impossible, but a mountain goat sees what looks like a
sheer mountain and finds a way to climb it.
Craig DeForest is the PUNCH mission principal Investigator. On his card front,
he is wearing a bike helmet in front of golden autumn aspens.
On the card back, Craig (he/him) says of his role: As Principal Investigator,
I pull together hundreds of hard-working people from all over the world to ensure mission success. His adjectives
are: Extroverted, Curious, Willing to be wrong and move on, and Devoted to family. Fun sun fact: The Sun produces 10,000
times less heat per kilogram than a cow. Our star is hot and bright mostly because it is very, very large. Words that
help guide me: The most important part of a science career is successful communication with colleagues and with everyone.
We owe it to humanity to preserve and share our results, insights, and wonder about the world around us. Inspiring animal:
At work, I identify with ferrets for their combination of playfulness, curiosity, flexibility, and stubborness to accomplish
their goals with a sense of joy, even in the face of obstacles.
Heather Elliot is a PUNCH co-investigator. On her card front,
she is wearing a dress and dancing while twirling a veil around her.
On the card back, Heather (she/her) says of her role: As a Co-Investigator, I
study the "solar wind" (fast-moving particles from the Sun) and am interested in using PUNCH data to create
“space weather” forecasts that predict the risk of solar storms to astronauts, spacecraft, and GPS. Her adjectives
are: Analytic, Straightforward, Hardworking, Nice, and Music-loving. Fun sun fact: The PUNCH mission is designed to make
the first-ever movies of the "solar wind's" 3D flow. We'll see space between the Sun and Earth in a way we've never
seen before! Words that help guide me: "Stubbornness can help you focus and get things done, but it can also be a weakness
and narrow your perspective. To make discoveries, we must find a balance." Inspiring animal: Donkeys are stubborn and
carry loads up mountains. I do a lot of teamwork that may not seem glamorous, but is necessary to make our cutting-edge
projects successful.
Sarah Gibson is the PUNCH project scientist. On her card front,
she is wearing a pink dress and getting ready to swing a baseball bat. In the background is the baseball field
where the Colorado Rockies play.
On the card back, Sarah (she/her) says of her role: As the Project Scientist,
I get to provide leadership, inspiration, and coordination for a large community of scientists. PUNCH science helps
us solve some of the mysteries of our Sun and its relationship to Earth. Her adjectives are: Curious, Contemplative,
Playful, and Persistent. Fun sun fact: It's a cosmic coincidence that the Moon is the right size and distance from Earth
to just cover the Sun during a solar eclipse so the Sun's corona can shine! Words that help guide me: "We shall not
cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place
for the first time" - T.S. Elliot. Inspiring animal: Penguins strike me as comic. I think it's important to have a sense
of comedy to help me cope with challenges at work.
Gilly Gilbert is a PUNCH associate investigator. On his card front,
he is wearing a blue flowery shirt and has a ukelele hanging from his neck. In the background is a Hawaiian beach at sunset.
On the card back, Gilly (he/him) says of his role: As an Associate Investigator,
I get to be among the first early-career people to look at PUNCH images. I use computers to help predict what the PUNCH
cameras will see and to be ready to notice new and unusual things about the Sun! His adjectives are: Kind, Considerate,
Enthusiastic, Gumptious, and Fastidious. Fun sun fact: Solar wind particles from the Sun are always flowing past Earth at
about a million miles per hour! Words that help guide me: Finish the job with care and perseverance, for the last 10% is
what sets you apart. Your dedication and pride in your work will take you far in life. Inspiring animal: Just like a penguin,
I like to waddle around looking for interesting and shiny rocks (science!) and share them with my community.
Lika Guhathakurta is the PUNCH program scientist. On her card front,
she is looking at the Sun with eclipse glasses while wearing a red blouse with a colorful scarf around her neck. In the
background is a cloudy mountain scene.
On the card back, Lika says of her role: As Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters, I oversee
that PUNCH science goals - established by the PUNCH science team - remain on track. I am like an ambassador for PUNCH,
facilitating integration with other NASA missions, relationships with international partners, and public communication for
all ages. Her adjectives are: Tenacious, Courageous, Visionary, Creative, and Kind. Fun sun fact: Because particles from the Sun
constantly wash over our world, we live in the outer atmosphere of our star! PUNCH will help make images of this atmosphere.
Words that help guide me: I try to limit use of the word "impossible." No matter how big a challenge, it can be resolved with
strong intention, dedication, and creative solutions. Inspiring animal: I need an eagle's sharp eye and overall perspective
to see how PUNCH science connects with other NASA missions.
Mary Hanson is a PUNCH test engineer. On her card front, she is wearing a red and
white striped sun dress and standing in front of an ocean cliff.
On the card back, Mary (she/her) says of her role: As a Test Engineer I do experiments to help ensure the
mission's three Wide Field Imagers (WFIs or "Wiffys") can operate well in the space environment. The “Wiffy” instruments are
designed to track "space weather" between the Sun and Earth! Her adjectives are: Curious, Happy, and Animal-lover.
Fun sun fact: The Sun is the only star in the Solar System, but it is one of a 100 billion stars in our galaxy! Words that
help guide me: "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - origin unknown. Inspiring animal:
Like a bee working together with its colony, I collaborate with other engineers and scientists to ensure our work gets done
on time.
Denise Hill is the PUNCH communications lead. On her card front she is sky diving over
Washington DC with the Washington Monument in the background.
On the card back, Denise (she/her) says of her role: As the Communications Lead, I manage a team
of content creators and oversee all public science communications for heliophysics (or Sun science) at NASA. Her adjectives are:
Authentic, Optimistic, Thoughtful, Passionate, and Hard-working. Fun sun fact: The Sun is considered an "ordinary" star yet it
is essential to life on Earth. Words that help guide me: Like the Sun, you can be ordinary yet have an extraordinary impact. You
don't need to be gifted, talented, or super-intelligent to make a better world. Let your uniqueness shine! Inspiring animal:
Like a peregrine falcon, I am fast, versatile, and a powerful hunter. When I need a solution to a problem, I know how to go
get it!
Briana Ingermann is the PUNCH outreach program manager. On her card front, she
is silhouetted againt a bright sun reflection on a lake as she jumps out of the water.
On the card back, Briana (she/her) says of her role: As the Outreach Program Manager, I help
coordinate the creation of activities and events that engage diverse people in learning about ancient Sun-watching and NASA's
solar explorations. Her adjectives are: Intentional, Creative, Organized, Open-minded, and Diplomatic. Fun sun fact: The center
of the Sun is so dense, it might take 100,000 years for light created in its core to be released into space. Then, sunlight
travels to Earth in just 8 minutes! Words that help guide me: "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr.
Seuss. Inspiring animal: Like an octopus, I am resourceful, adaptive, and playful. At work, I juggle multiple tasks, so
it's helpful to have a few extra arms!
Ronnie Killough is the PUNCH project manager. On his card front, he is wearing
hiking garb and a hat while standing in front of a mountain lake.
On the card back, Ronnie (he/him) says of his role: As the Project Manager, I manage a great team
of engineers, technicians, business analysts, and administrative staff to ensure that PUNCH is completed on time and within
budget while meeting all of its mission requirements. His adjectives are: Motivated, Task-Oriented, Curious, Detail-oriented,
and Organized. Fun sun fact: The Sun emits "white light", which contains ALL of the colors. A prism can "split" sunlight into
all colors, but it won't show the "color" black because it's not really a color, but the absence of light. Words that help guide
me: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will
be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9. Inspiring animal: Even though I'm more of a cat-person, dogs inspire me because they
are always loyal and happy to see you.
Don Kolinski is the PUNCH web developer. On his card front he is riding a mountain bike
on a narrow singletrack trail in Aspen.
On the card back, Don (he/him) says of his role: As a Web Developer, I designed and coded the
PUNCH website to help share our NASA mission with the world. I also get to create cool things like these trading cards!
His adjectives are: Animal-lover, Creative, Outdoorsy, and Curious. Fun sun fact: Ordinary stars, like our sun, perfectly
balance the outward pressure from nuclear fusion in their cores and the inward pull of gravity from their huge mass.
Words that help guide me: It's good to be open-minded, but when someone tells you to believe something without evidence,
don't open your mind so much that your brain falls out! Inspiring animal: Ravens are curious, playful, intelligent, and
adaptable. These traits are important to doing my web work well. Plus, we are both bad singers!
Florine Lehtinen is the PUNCH mission financial analyst. On her card front, she is smiling
while riding a horse on the beach under a colorful, cloudy sky.
On the card back, Florine (she/her) says of her role: As a Financial Analyst, I help the team
manage the PUNCH budget. I plan and analyze how the project money is spent. Her adjectives are: Positive, Creative, and Diligent.
Fun sun fact: Beautiful Northern Lights can appear in the night sky after fast-moving material from the Sun hits and interacts with
Earth's magnetic field. Words that help guide me: "Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be the person who brings joy, humility and
fun, even as you strive to reach difficult goals and make your difference." -Brendon Burchard. Inspiring animal: Otters are positive,
focused, and mix well with different personalities - helpful traits as I share information with diverse people on the PUNCH team.
Cherilynn Morrow is the PUNCH Outreach director. On her card front, she is shown wearing hiking clothes
and a brimmed hat while standing in front of sandstone rock formations in Chaco Canyon.
On the card back, Cherilynn (she/her) says of her role: As the Outreach Director, I support a diverse
team of science and art educators from planetariums, museums, Native American tribes, schools for the blind, and Girl Scouts. We
work with the mission team to create fun activities and events that inspire curiosity and learning about PUNCH and Sun science.
Her adjectives are: Nature-loving, Curious, Sensitive, Enthusiastic, and Musical. Fun sun fact: Our planet intercepts only one
billionth of the total energy the Sun puts out, but it's enough to support life on Earth! Words that help guide me: "Isn't this the
purpose of education, to learn the nature of your own gifts and how to use them for good in the world?" - Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Inspiring animal: At work or at home, I do my best to learn and transform, developing new abilities that are beneficial to
others - just like a butterfly!
Lisa Vasquez is the PUNCH senior administrative coordinator. On her card front, she is wearing
softball garb and standing on a base. The background shows her softball championship ring.
On the card back, Lisa (she/her) says of her role: As the Senior Admin Coordinator, I handle all
administrative tasks to help ensure our mission's success. Her adjectives are: Optimistic, Trustworthy, Sincere, and
Massive Animal-lover. Fun sun fact: The Sun is the largest object and the only star in our solar system, yet it's size is average
compared to the billions of stars in our galaxy! Words that help guide me: "No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can
change the world.” - Robin Williams. Inspiring animal: I have to be ready, steady, and smart like a raven to provide any assistance
our mission team needs at a moment's notice.
Nicki Viall is a PUNCH co-investigator. On her card front, she is lit up by a spotlight while ballet
dancing on a dark stage.
On the card back, Nicki (she/her) says of her role: As Science Co-Investigator, I lead a working group
to understand some of the structures the Sun creates and sends out into the Solar System. As Mission Scientist, I communicate the
excitement of our science across NASA. Her adjectives are: Outgoing, Experimenter, and Persevering. Fun sun fact: The part of the
Sun's atmosphere that PUNCH studies has been viewed by humanity during total solar eclipses for centuries. We call it the solar
corona! Words that help guide me: Almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to.
Only a few people are awake, and they live in a state of constant total amazement." - Patricia Graynamore, Joe Versus the Volcano.
Inspiring animal: I do my best to channel the intelligence and flexibility of an octopus for my work at NASA.
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