Staff List by Alphabetical Order
Buscher, David |
Interferometer System Architect (Cambridge)
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
Michelle 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)
Chris 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
Robert 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
Andres 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
Juan 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
Van 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
Eileen 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
William 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)
John 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
Van 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
Eileen 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
Michelle 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
Robert 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
Andres 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)
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 |
Haniff, Chris |
Interferometer System Architect (Cambridge)
Chris 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)
John 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
Eileen 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
William 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
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|
|
Creech-Eakman, Michelle |
Interferometer Project Scientist/NESSI Principal Investigator
Michelle 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
Andres 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
Chris 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
Juan 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
Colleen 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. |
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Student Employees