May 2026 Ames Science Stars: Honoring Excellence at NASA Ames

The NASA Ames Science Directorate's Stars of the Month program celebrates exceptional team members who embody the entrepreneurial spirit, technical expertise, and collaborative disposition essential to advancing NASA's mission. For May 2026, four individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions across space science, space biosciences, and earth science. Below, we dive into the achievements of Lora Jovanović, Tammy Moore, Frances Donovan, and Jaden Ta, highlighting how their work supports exploration beyond Earth and within our own planet.

What is the NASA Ames Science Directorate Stars of the Month program?

The Stars of the Month initiative is a recognition program within the NASA Ames Science Directorate that honors staff who go above and beyond in their roles. Awardees are selected for their outstanding performance, demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit, technical expertise, and a collaborative disposition. The program aims to foster a culture of excellence and gratitude, acknowledging individuals whose contributions are critical to the agency’s exploration and research objectives. Each month, a small group of stars from different scientific divisions—such as space science, space biosciences, and earth science—are celebrated for their unique impacts on NASA missions. The May 2026 cohort exemplifies how diverse expertise, from database expansion to project management, drives the agency forward.

How did Lora Jovanović expand the Optical Constants Database for space missions?

Lora Jovanović, a research scientist in the Astrophysics Branch affiliated with the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, played a pivotal role in significantly enriching the Optical Constants Database. She increased the number of experimental optical constant datasets from 297 to 533, a nearly 80% expansion. These optical constants are vital input parameters for models that interpret observational data from space missions such as SPHEREx, Cassini, New Horizons, and Juno. By providing a broader and more accurate set of constants, Jovanović enables scientists to better understand the composition and properties of planetary surfaces, atmospheres, and other celestial bodies. This work directly enhances our ability to decode the data collected across the solar system, supporting both ongoing and future exploratory missions.

What leadership did Tammy Moore demonstrate during budget changes?

Tammy Moore, the Space Biosciences Division’s Resource Analyst, was recognized for her exceptional leadership during a period of major changes in budget guidelines and processes. She served as a steady source of support for the entire division, leveraging her expert knowledge and determination to assist scientists and engineers with financial and resource planning. Moore’s efforts ensured that teams could navigate evolving fiscal landscapes without disruption, maintaining momentum on critical research projects. Her ability to translate complex budget information into actionable guidance made her an invaluable asset. By providing stability and clarity, she enabled the division to focus on its core mission of advancing space biosciences, from understanding biological responses to spaceflight to developing life support technologies.

How did Frances Donovan simplify task management for the FILMSS-2 contract?

Frances Donovan, a scientist and project manager in the Space Biosciences Division, was honored for her role as the Science Directorate’s Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for the Fully Integrated Lifecycle Mission Support Services (FILMSS-2) task. She demonstrated boundless dedication by educating and supporting task requestors throughout the process. Donovan invented new approaches that significantly simplified task management, making it more efficient and user-friendly. Her resourcefulness and persistence streamlined workflows, reducing administrative overhead and allowing researchers to focus on their scientific work. By improving how tasks are requested and tracked, Donovan has increased the overall agility of the directorate, enabling faster responses to emerging research needs and better integration with mission support services.

What contributions did Jaden Ta make to the FarmFlux investigation?

Jaden Ta, deputy project manager in the Earth Science Project Office, was recognized for her valuable contributions to the Earth Venture Suborbital FarmFlux investigation. Ta led the development of the project’s Investigation Implementation Plan, a critical document outlining research objectives, methodologies, and timelines. She also played a strategic role in determining deployment locations for the research aircraft, ensuring that data collected would maximally benefit understanding of agricultural greenhouse gas fluxes. Her leadership ensured that the project was well-organized and executed efficiently, from planning to field operations. By optimizing flight paths and sites, Ta helped the team gather high-quality measurements crucial for improving agricultural practices and climate models. Her work exemplifies the collaborative and strategic thinking that drives earth science missions.