2026 Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration

A black banner reading "Frontiers in Science: Advancing Space Exploration." The words are surrounded by dynamic gold sparkles, along with light blue, gold, and white parallelograms.

2026 Frontiers in Science
Advancing Space Exploration

Hosted by the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech
April 2, 2026 | Dalney Street Building
 

About the conference

Join this year’s Frontiers in Science conference for an inspiring look at the future of space exploration and life beyond Earth. Discover how groundbreaking research is reshaping our understanding of the solar system as we explore new possibilities from orbit and learn about the space policy guiding discovery and innovation. From satellites and rovers to bold visions for human exploration, this year’s program brings together more than two dozen leading scientists, engineers, and thought leaders who are pushing the boundaries of what lies beyond. 

Past events: Read about 2025 Frontiers and 2024 Frontiers.

Attendance and registration

  • Attendance is by invitation and RSVPs are required.
  • If you would like to suggest an attendee or have not received an invitation by mid-March, please email events@cos.gatech.edu.

 

Event Schedule

8:00 - 9:00am
Welcome
8:00 - 8:45am Coffee and Check-In
Coffee and pastries will be served.
8:45 - 9:00am Opening Remarks
  • Susan Lozier, Dean of the College of Sciences, Betsy Middleton and John Clark Sutherland Chair, Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Tim Lieuwen, Executive Vice President for Research, David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair, and Regents’ Professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
9:00 - 10:00am
Habitable Worlds
  Presented by
  • Chris Reinhard, Associate Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Gongjie Li, Associate Professor in the School of Physics
  • Joyce Shi Sim, Assistant Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • James Wray, Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Indujaa Ganesh, Assistant Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
10:00 - 10:15am
Break
 
10:15 - 11:00am
Earth as a Model for Space
  Presented by
  • Christopher Carr, Assistant Professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering and School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Frances Rivera-Hernández, Assistant Professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Amanda Stockton, Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Christopher Wiese, Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology
11:00 - 12:30pm
Telescopes & Tacos: Interactive Public Astronomy Lunch
Food and beverages will be served.
  With interactive opportunities from

12:30 - 12:45pm
Afternoon Opening Remarks
  • Jud Ready, Space Research Institute Executive Director and Georgia Tech Research Institute Principal Research Engineer
12:45 - 1:15pm
Human Space Exploration: An Astronaut's Perspective
  A fireside chat with Shane Kimbrough, featuring
  • R. Shane Kimbrough (MS OR 98), Retired NASA Astronaut. Kimbrough has spent a total of 388 days in space, performing nine spacewalks. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research from Georgia Tech.
  • Jud Ready, Space Research Institute Executive Director and Georgia Tech Research Institute Principal Research Engineer
1:15 - 2:15pm
Space Innovation at Georgia Tech
  Presented by
  • Brian Gunter, Associate Professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
  • Glenn Lightsey, John W. Young Endowed Chair Professor in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
  • Thom Orlando, Regents’ Professor in the School of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Adjunct Professor in the School of Physics
  • Ava Thrasher, Research Engineer I in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering
  • Moderated by Naia Butler-Craig (M.S. AE 2023, Ph.D. AE 2026), NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Fellow and GEM Fellow
2:15 - 2:45pm
Networking Coffee Break

Light refreshments will be served.
2:45 - 3:45pm
The Future of Space Policy
  Presented by
  • Mariel Borowitz, Associate Professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Director of the Center for Space Policy and International Relations, and head of the Nunn School Program on International Affairs, Science, and Technology 
  • Margaret Kosal, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
  • Feryal Özel, Chair and Professor in the School of Physics
  • Thomas González Roberts, Assistant Professor with a joint appointment in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, and Director of the Engineering Space Policy Laboratory
  • Moderated by Lisa Yaszek, Regents Professor of Science Fiction Studies in the School of Literature, Media, and Communication
3:45 - 4:30pm
The Next Generation: Careers & Commercialization
 
Presented by
  • Audra Davidson (M.S. BIO 2020), Research Communications Program Manager, Space Research Institute (SRI) & Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society (INNS)
  • Jon Goldman (M.S. MSE 1989), Director of Quadrant-i (Q-i) in the Office of Commercialization
  • Lauren Victoria (Vic) Paulson (B.S. ME 2023, Ph.D. AE 2027), Founder and President of Southeast Analog
  • Moderated by Julia Kubanek, Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and Professor of Biological Sciences and Chemistry & Biochemistry

4:30 - 5:45pm
Networking Reception

Food and beverages will be served.
Following the event, join the Georgia Tech Astronomy Club for a free evening viewing of Jupiter and the Orion Nebula in Howey Courtyard. More information on public observatory nights is available here.

 

Parking and directions

  • 🚎 Free campus transportation is available through the Stinger Shuttle

  • 🚙 Parking adjacent to the Dalney Building is available at an hourly rate.

    • Visitor’s Area 12: Dalney Deck W22 on the Campus Map

      • The entrance to the office building faces south, away from the parking deck. Once walking, exit the parking deck at the first floor on Dalney Street and take a right at the sidewalk (south) and another right at the Dalney Street Building sign (west). Please enter the building through the covered lobby area.