Gergana Nestorova

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Gergana

Nestorova

Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University

Dr. Gergana G. Nestorova is an Associate Professor of Biology at Louisiana Tech University with expertise in space biology and biomedical innovation. She has published over 25 peer-reviewed articles, mentored Ph.D. and M.S. students, and presented at 40 conferences. Dr. Nestorova leads a NASA-funded project developing a liquid-free tool for rapid genetic material extraction from plants, bacteria, and 3D spheroids. This technology has been successfully tested on the International Space Station for plant genetic analysis. Dr. Nestorova’s current work addresses challenges in spacecraft microbiome monitoring by expanding this technology for bacterial genotyping. Beyond space applications, her research focuses on extracellular vesicle-derived tumor biomarkers and the use of EVs for drug delivery.

Evaluation Panel

Dragonfly EDL Phase Lead, NASA EDL Strategic Capability Leadership Team Lead (Acting), NASA Ames Research Center

Navigation Engineer, Engineering Directorate, NASA Johnson Space Center

Entry Systems Modeling (ESM) Principal Investigator, Dragonfly Aerothermal Lead & DrEAM Investigation Lead, VISTA Project Scientist, Aerothermodynamics Branch, NASA Ames Research Center

Tobias Niederwieser

Assistant Research Professor, BioServe Space Technologies / University of Colorado Boulder

Professor Emeritus, Klipsch School of Electrical & Computer Engineering, New Mexico State University, NASA Langley Research Center (Retired), IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities

Alan B. Shepard Chair Professor, University of Cincinnati

Jeremiah McNatt

Principal Technologist for Power, NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate

Instrument & Payload Systems Engineering Branch Head, NASA's GSFC

Christopher Birkinbine

Project Manager, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center

Sr. Mission Manager, NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM)

Simulation Hardware Engineer, NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center

Flight Systems Engineer, NASA's Ames Research Center

Project Engineer (SSTP), NASA's Ames Research Center

Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Small Satellite Technology & Flight Opportunities Program Portfolio Manager, NASA Headquarters

Retired Deputy Chief of Space Projects & Partnerships, Armstrong Flight Research Center

Spacecraft Systems Engineer, NASA's Flight Opportunities

SPLICE - Deputy Project Manager EG6 - Autonomous GNC, NASA's Johnson Space Center

Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo

Aerospace Engineer, NASA's Langley Research Center

Senior Technical Civil Servant, NASA

Alexander Van Dijk

Technologist, NASA's Flight Opportunities

Campaign Manager, NASA's Flight Opportunities