Bios, pictures and patch – December 10th

Commander and Crew Astronomer
Dr. Cesare Guariniello is a Research Scientist in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Purdue University. He holds two Master’s degrees “Cum Laude”, in Automation and Robotics Engineering and in Astronautical Engineering, from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, and a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University. His research focuses on System-of-Systems design and architecture, space applications, cybersecurity, and defense. He is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Planetary Geology.
Cesare is a senior member of AIAA and IEEE, and a member of INCOSE, AAS, and various other professional societies. He was the recipient of multiple awards for his research and his publications.
Always deeply passionate for space and for learning, Cesare enjoys a wide variety of activities outside academia. He represented Purdue University in various fencing collegiate tournaments, and he is now advisor of Purdue Archery Club. Cesare holds all three levels of amateur radio certifications five scuba diving certifications, a Wilderness First Responder certification, a commercial pilot license, drone pilot license, and ground instructor certifications. Crew 288 will be Cesare’s sixth rotation at MDRS, where he previously served as commander, executive officer, crew geologist, crew astronomer, and health and safety officer.

Executive Officer
Riley McGlasson is a fourth year PhD candidate in Planetary Science at Purdue University. Her research focus is based on trying to understand Mars’ climate history through radar sounding observation of Mars’ polar caps. Radar sounding data can penetrate kilometers beneath the surface of these ice caps, to the oldest preserved ice. To better understand the data we see from Mars, she also uses radar observations of constructed ice and dust stratigraphies in the lab as well as from analog sites in icy regions on Earth. Riley is looking forward to applying her radar experience as a part of Crew 288, where she will test the abilities of ground penetrating radar to search for near-surface water for in-situ resource utilization. In her free time, Riley enjoys backpacking, canoeing, and playing roller derby.
Crew geologist
Hunter Vannier is a 4th year planetary science PhD candidate at Purdue University. He is passionate about space exploration and discovery, and utilizes a wide range of laboratory and spacecraft spectral data to interpret the geology of planetary surfaces. In particular, Hunter researches diverse volcanoes on the Moon and igneous terrains on Mars. It is his goal to be at the forefront of the next generation of human space exploration to the Moon and beyond. One of Hunter’s favorite parts of planetary science is visiting spectacular analogue environments, places on earth that are most like other planets. It is fascinating that seemingly foreign worlds share significant similarities to Earth. At once, he develops a deeper connection to the Earth and other planets feel less alien. He is thrilled to experience MDRS and learn tangibly about challenges inherent to human exploration in an analogue environment. Outside of research, Hunter loves to cook, garden, hike, mountain bike, and play hockey.

Crew Engineer
Jesus Meza Galvan is a 2nd year PhD student in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. Before that, he worked as an applied physicist for a technology R&D company where he found his passion for developing space technology. His background is in solid-state physics and nano/microfabrication of semiconductor and optical devices. His PhD research is focused on developing MEMS micro-propulsion systems for small satellites. Jesus wants to work as a spacecraft engineer developing instrumentation for science missions and tools for in-space manufacturing. He aspires to be chosen by Bruce Willis to help drill the asteroid.

Health and Safety Officer
Jilian Welshoff is from Goshen, NY, and a 3rd year undergraduate student at Purdue University studying Brain and Behavioral Sciences/ Pre-Physicians Assistant but is super interested in space exploration. For Crew 288, she is the Health and Safety Officer and intends on keeping everyone in the crew safe! Her research will hopefully intend looking into isolation levels in crewmates and how to reduce it through working with plants and arts. She is also involved with the Undergraduate Research Society at Purdue as the secretary and is very active in Boiler Gold Rush, Purdue’s orientation program, serving as Team Leader and Supervisor. During her free time Jilian loves thrifting and baking, learning and listening to/about all music, and reading a good book in her hammock!

GreenHab Officer
Ryan DeAngelis is a junior in Industrial Engineering at Purdue, with a focus on aerospace systems engineering. He is passionate about everything life support related and is enthusiastic about anything regarding space exploration and habitation. He is also very involved in the Space and Earth Analogs Research Chapter (SEARCH) of Purdue, where he is helping design the first student-led analog space habitat, with a focus on bioastronautics and bio-regenerative systems. An Eagle Scout of Troop 30 in Los Altos, California, he loves anything outdoors along with hiking, backpacking, and scuba diving. His favorite board game is Terraforming Mars.

Crew Journalist
Lipi Roy is a Master’s student in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. She received her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, India, back in 2019. For a few years after that, she worked as a scientist in the Indian Space Research Organization where she contributed to crew module systems for the upcoming human space mission of India. She is passionate about building safe and optimal extra-terrestrial systems. Outside work, Lipi enjoys hiking, cooking, and playing music.