Staff

 

Staff List by Alphabetical Order


Buscher, David Interferometer System Architect (Cambridge)
MRO partner David Buscher staff photo David Buscher helped to set up the collaboration between the University of Cambridge and New Mexico Tech to build the MROI in 2002. He is System Architect for MROI (jointly with Chris Haniff), responsible for the overall system design of the MROI and for technical oversight of the project. He is also a lecturer at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, where he teaches physics and astronomy courses, and does research in optical interferometry and adaptive optics. Professional website		 (575) 835 – 6964
(+44) (0)1223 337 302
Creech-Eakman, Michelle Interferometer Project Scientist/NESSI Principal Investigator

MRO employee Michelle Creech-Eakman staff photoMichelle Creech-Eakman is a Professor of Physics at NMT and has been the Project Scientist for MROI since 2003. She also serves on several panels and organizing committees including those for SPIE, NASA and NSF. Professional website

 (575) 835 – 6756
(575) 835 – 5809
Haniff, Chris Interferometer System Architect (Cambridge)
MRO partner Chris Haniff staff photoChris Haniff heads the Optical Interferometry sub-group at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK and has worked on the MROI since 2002 when New Mexico Tech’s collaboration with the University of Cambridge to develop an ambitious optical/infrared imaging interferometer was initiated. Together with David Buscher, he is one of the two System Architects for the MROI, responsible for its overall system design and oversight of its technical delivery. He is a Professor of Physics at the Cavendish and is a fellow of Downing College, Cambridge. Professional website		 (575) 835 – 6964
(+44) (0)1223 337 307
Ligon, Robert Instrument Scientist
MRO employee Robert Ligon staff photoRobert Ligon joined MRO in 2017 as the Instrument Scientist. He was previously with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he worked on a variety of projects including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer and the Keck Interferometer. He is the New Mexico Tech lead for the automated alignment system, beam compressors, and the fringe tracker. His main role is to help the team achieve performance and functionality as envisioned by the system architects in whatever capacity is required.		 (575) 835 – 5076
Mortimer, Daniel J Graduate Research Assistant (Cambridge)
Daniel Mortimer is a graduate research assistant at the University of Cambridge. He joined the MROI in 2017 and is undertakingwork for the array as part of his PhD. His primary role is to develop the first generation near-infrared science beam combiner, FOURIER, from the prototype stage to first light of the instrument. His research interests include beam combination instrumentation and interferometric observations to study star formation processes at the inner few astronomical units scale.
Olivares, Andres Interferometer Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer
MRO employee Andres Olivares staff photoAndres Olivares joined MRO in 2007 from NOAO/CTIO of Chile. As lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer, he is the sub-project lead for the Unit Telescope Mount. He is also responsible for designing and assisting of major opto-mechanical subsystem for the Interferometer; supervise external contracts and purchases related to opto-mechanical effort. He is also an opto-mechanical engineer for NESSI in collaboration with NASA/JPL.		 (575) 835 – 6758
Pino, Juan Equipment Operator
MRO employee Juan Pino staff photoJuan Pino joined MRO in 2006. He works as the heavy equipment operator at the Observatory.		 (575) 518 – 8077
Romero, Van Principal Investigator of MRO/Vice President of R&ED, NMT
MRO employee Van Romero staff photoVan Romero is the Vice President of Research and Economic Development at New Mexico Tech; Principal Investigator for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer; manages a diverse research portfolio including programs in astronomy, energy, and Homeland Security.		 (575) 835 – 5646
Ryan, Eileen Director, 2.4-meter Telescope
MRO employee Eileen Ryan staff photoEileen Ryan joined MRO in 2002. As Director of the 2.4-meter Telescope, Dr. Ryan manages its technical, financial, and operational activities, and leads the development of scientific and military initiatives. She is the Principal Investigator of a NASA-funded Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) program and Co-Principal Investigator (with William Ryan) of an NSF-funded program to determine spin rates of NEOs.		 (575) 835 – 6803
Ryan, William 2.4-meter Telescope Scientist
MRO employee William Ryan staff photoWilliam Ryan joined MRO in 2003. As Research Scientist for the 2.4-meter Telescope, Dr. Ryan conducts observationally-based research on objects in the Solar System (both natural and artificial), and provides scientific support for planning and development. He also tests/monitors the performance of the telescope, camera instruments, and software, and contributes to their improvement via new designs and approaches.		 (575) 835 – 6646
Young, John Senior Research Associate (Cambridge)
MRO employee John Young staff photoJohn Young works as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, and has collaborated on the MROI Project since 2003. Dr. Young leads the fast tip-tilt work package at Cambridge and acts as point-of-contact with MROI staff for all software matters. His research interests include distributed real-time control systems, optical synthesis imaging and the physics of evolved stars.		 (575) 835 – 6964
(+44) (0)1223 337 347

Contact Facilities, Site and Infrastructure

2.4 Meter Telescope Control Room At the Observatory site (575) 835 – 6771
2.4 Meter Telescope Dome At the Observatory site (575) 835 – 6787
2.4 Meter Telescope Elevator E911 At the Observatory site (575) 835 – 7972
Large Conference Room ROB Conference Room 101 (575) 835 – 5042
Mini-Conference Room ROB Conference Room 153 (575) 835 – 6809
Facilities, Site & Infrastructure Trailer At the Observatory site (575) 835 – 7975
Interferometer Beam Combining Facility At the Observatory site (575) 835 – 7808
Optics Lab NMT Workman Lab 195-197 (575) 835 – 5107

 

Staff List by Program

Principal Investigators

Romero, Van Principal Investigator of MRO/Vice President of R&ED, NMT
MRO employee Van Romero staff photoVan Romero is the Vice President of Research and Economic Development at New Mexico Tech; Principal Investigator for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer; manages a diverse research portfolio including programs in astronomy, energy, and Homeland Security.		 (575) 835 – 5646

Administration

 

Ryan, Eileen Director, 2.4-meter Telescope
MRO employee Eileen Ryan staff photoEileen Ryan joined MRO in 2002. As Director of the 2.4-meter Telescope, Dr. Ryan manages its technical, financial, and operational activities, and leads the development of scientific and military initiatives. She is the Principal Investigator of a NASA-funded Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) program and Co-Principal Investigator (with William Ryan) of an NSF-funded program to determine spin rates of NEOs.		 (575) 835 – 6803

MROI

Creech-Eakman, Michelle Interferometer Project Scientist/NESSI Principal Investigator
MRO employee Michelle Creech-Eakman staff photoMichelle Creech-Eakman is a Professor of Physics at NMT and has been the Project Scientist for MROI since 2003. She also serves on several panels and organizing committees including those for SPIE, NASA and NSF. Professional website		 (575) 835 – 6756
(575) 835 – 5809
Ligon, Robert Instrument Scientist
MRO employee Robert Ligon staff photoRobert Ligon joined MRO in 2017 as the Instrument Scientist. He was previously with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he worked on a variety of projects including the Palomar Testbed Interferometer and the Keck Interferometer. He is the New Mexico Tech lead for the automated alignment system, beam compressors, and the fringe tracker. His main role is to help the team achieve performance and functionality as envisioned by the system architects in whatever capacity is required.		 (575) 835 – 5076
Olivares, Andres Interferometer Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer
MRO employee Andres Olivares staff photoAndres Olivares joined MRO in 2007 from NOAO/CTIO of Chile. As lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer, he is the sub-project lead for the Unit Telescope Mount. He is also responsible for designing and assisting of major opto-mechanical subsystem for the Interferometer; supervise external contracts and purchases related to opto-mechanical effort. He is also an opto-mechanical engineer for NESSI in collaboration with NASA/JPL.		 (575) 835 – 6758

Cambridge University

Buscher, David Interferometer System Architect (Cambridge)
MRO partner David Buscher staff photoDavid Buscher helped to set up the collaboration between the University of Cambridge and New Mexico Tech to build the MROI in 2002. He is System Architect for MROI (jointly with Chris Haniff), responsible for the overall system design of the MROI and for technical oversight of the project. He is also a lecturer at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, where he teaches physics and astronomy courses, and does research in optical interferometry and adaptive optics. Professional website		 (575) 835 – 6964
(+44) (0)1223 337 302
Haniff, Chris Interferometer System Architect (Cambridge)
MRO partner Chris Haniff staff photoChris Haniff heads the Optical Interferometry sub-group at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK and has worked on the MROI since 2002 when New Mexico Tech’s collaboration with the University of Cambridge to develop an ambitious optical/infrared imaging interferometer was initiated. Together with David Buscher, he is one of the two System Architects for the MROI, responsible for its overall system design and oversight of its technical delivery. He is a Professor of Physics at the Cavendish and is a fellow of Downing College, Cambridge. Professional website		 (575) 835 – 6964
(+44) (0)1223 337 307
Mortimer, Daniel J. Graduate Research Assistant (Cambridge)
Daniel Mortimer is a graduate research assistant at the University of Cambridge. He joined the MROI in 2017 and is undertakingwork for the array as part of his PhD. His primary role is to develop the first generation near-infrared science beam combiner, FOURIER, from the prototype stage to first light of the instrument. His research interests include beam combination instrumentation and interferometric observations to study star formation processes at the inner few astronomical units scale.
Young, John Senior Research Associate (Cambridge)
MRO employee John Young staff photoJohn Young works as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, and has collaborated on the MROI Project since 2003. Dr. Young leads the fast tip-tilt work package at Cambridge and acts as point-of-contact with MROI staff for all software matters. His research interests include distributed real-time control systems, optical synthesis imaging and the physics of evolved stars.		 (575) 835 – 6964
(+44) (0)1223 337 347

2.4-meter Telescope

Ryan, Eileen Director, 2.4-meter Telescope
MRO employee Eileen Ryan staff photoEileen Ryan joined MRO in 2002. As Director of the 2.4-meter Telescope, Dr. Ryan manages its technical, financial, and operational activities, and leads the development of scientific and military initiatives. She is the Principal Investigator of a NASA-funded Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) program and Co-Principal Investigator (with William Ryan) of an NSF-funded program to determine spin rates of NEOs.		 (575) 835 – 6803
Ryan, William 2.4-meter Telescope Scientist
MRO employee William Ryan staff photoWilliam Ryan joined MRO in 2003. As Research Scientist for the 2.4-meter Telescope, Dr. Ryan conducts observationally-based research on objects in the Solar System (both natural and artificial), and provides scientific support for planning and development. He also tests/monitors the performance of the telescope, camera instruments, and software, and contributes to their improvement via new designs and approaches.		 (575) 835 – 6646

NESSI

Creech-Eakman, Michelle Interferometer Project Scientist/NESSI Principal Investigator
MRO employee Michelle Creech-EakmanMichelle Creech-Eakman is a Professor of Physics at NMT and has been the Project Scientist for MROI since 2003. She also serves on several panels and organizing committees including those for SPIE, NASA and NSF. Professional website		 (575) 835 – 6756
(575) 835 – 5809
Olivares, Andres Interferometer Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer
MRO employee Andres Olivares staff photoAndres Olivares joined MRO in 2007 from NOAO/CTIO of Chile. As lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer he is the sub-project lead for the Unit Telescope Mount. He is also responsible for designing and assisting of major opto-mechanical subsystem for the Interferometer; supervise external contracts and purchases related to opto-mechanical effort. He is also an opto-mechanical engineer for NESSI in collaboration with NASA/JPL.		 (575) 835 – 6758
Salcido, Chris Interferometer Opto-Mechanical Engineer
MRO employee Chris Salcido staff photoChris Salcido joined MRO in 2007 as an undergraduate mechanical engineering student at New Mexico Tech (NMT) and became a full time Mechanical Engineer after graduating with his B.S. degree in 2008. He is currently the lead engineer for the Vacuum System.		 (575) 835 – 6947

Facilities, Site & Infrastructure

Pino, Juan Equipment Operator
MRO employee Juan Pino staff photoJuan Pino joined MRO in 2006. He works as the heavy equipment operator on the ridge.		 (575) 518 – 8077

Education & Outreach

Gino, M. Colleen Acting Director, Etscorn Campus Observatory
MRO employee M. Colleen Gino staff photoColleen Gino joined MRO in 2017. She is responsible for the organization, management, and execution of outreach activities for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory and the Etscorn Campus Observatory.

Student Employees