April CATalyst CHAT showcases Space4 Center
U of A Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Tomás Díaz de la Rubia (left) and Space4 Center Director Vishnu Reddy at the April CATalyst CHAT.
About 60 people gathered at the U of A Scottsdale Center on April 24 to learn how the U of A’s Space4 Centeridentifies, tracks and monitors space traffic between the Earth and the moon. The event was part of CATalyst CHAT, the center’s ongoing series of events showcasing U of A faculty experts and their pivotal research.
During a talk titled "Tracking Cosmic Clutter," which featured a conversation between U of A Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Tomás Díaz de la Rubia and Space4 Center Director Vishnu Reddy, guests were treated to insights about the U of A’s leadership in space domain awareness research and technology. Díaz de la Rubia shared that high-reward opportunities in space sciences and national security are one of the university’s strategic imperatives in helping prepare students for academic success and impactful careers. Other initiatives include the commercialization of fusion energy, artificial intelligence and data science applications in biomedicine and health care, and modernizing mining for sustainable access to critical minerals.
Attendees learned about the wide range of backgrounds and disciplines of students and researchers who are part of the Space4 team and have trusted expertise in planetary science, astronomy, information science, aerospace engineering, systems and industrial engineering, mathematics and law.
The Space4 Center is developing solutions to ensure safe, secure and sustainable space operations for future generations. In furthering its mission, the center receives federal funding as well as gifts from generous alumni Mike and Margy West, who donated to Space4 in honor of Margy West’s late father, Glen E. McPherren, a pioneer aviator and inventor who was passionate about exploration and helping young people realize their dreams. During the CATalyst event, Reddy recognized the Wests, who attended with friends and family members.
The next CATalyst CHAT – titled "How Hearing Happens" – is Thursday, May 15, from 4:30-6 p.m. It will feature Dr. Ebenezer Yamoah with the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix. Register using this link.