Workshop Leader Bios
Workshop Leader
Workshop Title:
Are Fingerprint Patterns Inherited?
(Monroe Middle School)
Town/State/Country where you grew up:
North Canton, Ohio, USA
Extracurricular activities while in school:
FIRST Robotics, band, soccer, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), National Honors Society (NHS), Girl Scouts of America (Bronze and Silver Award)
College(s)/Degree(s):
West Virginia University, Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering, 2019
Who or what inspired you to go into Math/Science/Engineering:
I got into engineering through a Women in STEM day hosted by the Girl Scouts at a local university. We build small bug robots, spaghetti towers, and saw a competition ‘lunar rover’. Ever since then, I got involved with the classes and extracurriculars offered by my middle and high school. I got accepted into the Engineering program at WVU in 2015 and graduated with my Aerospace Degree in 2019.
Current Job (what do you do?):
Flight Test Engineer
Family (spouse, kids, pets):
No spouse/children, 2 dogs (Sara and Penny) and some Pearl Tetras (fish)
Current interests/hobbies:
Crochet, camping, hiking, exploring, napping, reading, Toastmasters (public speaking), pet sitting
Ms. Samantha Keyes
Flight Test Engineer
Workshop Leader
Cynthia Romo
Warheads Engineer
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Workshop Title:
YES 2022 Workshop - Fingerprint Patterns
Workshop Description:
Run an experiment with the students to determine their fingerprint patterns.
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Town/State/Country where you grew up:
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Cd. Juarez / Chihuahua / Mexico
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El Paso/ Texas / USA
Extracurricular activities while in school:
High school:
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Played the guitar
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Volunteered at women’s shelter
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National Honor Society VP
College:
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American Institute of Chemical Engineers
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Research/Lab Assistant
College(s)/Degree(s):
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New Mexico Tech / B.S. Chemical Engineering, Minor in Chemistry
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New Mexico Tech/ M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Specialized in Explosives Engineering
Who or what inspired you to go into Math/Science/Engineering:
My high school algebra teacher, Mr. Robert Cortinas. He not only taught me algebra, but he pointed out that I had a niche for chemistry and that, if I wanted, I could mix the two under a Chemical Engineering degree. He helped me research the programs at various universities to pick the one that better suited me. He also worked with the school’s administration to allow me to take Calculus I and Calculus II as independent study with him so that I would be better prepared for the college level courses.
Current Job (what do you do?):
I am a Warheads Engineer at NAWC WD China Lake. I am a technical advisor for various programs. I help them assess production issues or changes, and figure out a path forward to keep everything running smoothly. I am also in charge of test planning and test execution where I get to do my favorite thing: blow stuff up!
Family (spouse, kids, pets):
Given, mom and brother.
Chosen, my awesome friends and their little ones
Current interests/hobbies:
I like to read, listen to music, and play the guitar. I also enjoy traveling and experiencing different cultures, but sadly that has been on a slight pause since 2020.
Workshop Leader
Alexandra Indritz
Mechanical Engineer
Workshop Title:
Succession Science: Are Fingerprint Patterns Inherited?
Workshop Description:
Run an experiment with kids and a biological parent to determine if your fingerprint pattern is just one more trait that you can thank your parent(s) for giving you.
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Town/State/Country where you grew up:
St. Louis Park/MN/USA
Extracurricular activities while in school:
In High School, I was a part of the FIRST Robotics club and played volleyball from Middle School through High School. In college, I joined the Blacksmithing club, Hyperloop Challenge, and Ballroom Dancing club.
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College(s)/Degree(s):
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Prescott/
BS Mechanical Engineering
Who or what inspired you to go into Math/Science/Engineering:
I’ve always been interested in how things worked or fit together. Then in school, the science teachers always had the coolest demonstrations that made learning fun and exciting. So when my group of friends joined the FIRST Robotics club, that really sparked my love of engineering and designing.
Current Job (what do you do?):
I’ve been working at NAWCWD China Lake for the last 3.5 years and work as a Mechanical Engineer with the Warhead Development branch.
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Family (spouse, kids, pets):
Mom, Dad, and sister still live in Minnesota, and my plant Audrey II.
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Current interests/hobbies:
In my free time I’m learning how to rock climb, playing MMOs & board games with friends, and going hiking.
Workshop Leader
Eli and Geno
George and Geno the cat
Workshop Title: JETS/YES Workshop
Town/State/Country where you grew up:
I was born in Pocatello, Idaho and three weeks later moved to San Fernando Valley, Ca. When I was 5 years old, my dad got a job working as an Electrician on the Naval Base here in China Lake. I am also the oldest girl of ten kids.
Extracurricular activities while in school:
I played tennis, basketball, and volleyball and participated in several service projects and church activities, including hiking and camping.
College(s)/Degree(s):
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Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Ca.
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Business Admin Degree (BA) from the University of La Verne, La Verne, Ca.
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General Associates Degree from Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest.
Who or what inspired you to go into Math/Science/Engineering:
I believe I inherited my love of numbers from my grandmother, who was a government math statistician.
Current Job (what do you do?):
Currently, I am working as a Project Manager for the Airborne Instrumentation Systems Division (AISD). I recently completed a telemetry (TM) project, a process where the results of the velocity/speed of a missile are transmitted via radio transmitter, antenna, telephone line, tape recorder, etc., to a distant station where the results are displayed and recorded, then analyzed. TM lets you stay in a safe location while monitoring real-time data in an unsafe area.
Family (spouse, kids, pets):
I have three adult children and five grandchildren. Presently, I have two dogs, Eli and Geno, and one cat, George; his brother Geno passed away this year.
Current interests/hobbies:
I love spending as much time as I can with my g’kids. I enjoy acrylic, oil, and watercolor painting. I love outdoor activities; a few years ago, I got to Jet Ski in Key West, Fl. If I could do that every day, I definitely would.
Gina Jensen
Program Analyst for Airborne Instrumentation Systems Division (AISD)
