SOL SPEAKER LIASIONS
SOL Speaker Liaisons will be assisting in bringing in speakers from their Regions and helping us bridge the time zone gap.
CAPT Pam Kingsley – USS Mercia, Region 20. Europe, Ireland and Great Britain
CMDR Ronel du Preez – USS Dauntless, Region 8. Bloemfontein; Free State; South Africa
Call out: Looking for Regional Sol Liaisons worldwide. Regional Sol Speaker Series Liaisons – STARFLEET (sfi.org)
We are seeking Regional Sol Liaisons to assist with bringing speakers in from around the world and making our events more accessible to everyone regardless of the time zone differences. Contact sfsci-director@sfi.org if you are interested or would like more information!
Welcome to the Sol Speaker Series sponsored by STARFLEET Sciences, a monthly online event free to SFI members! We provide interesting and inspiring presentations on a variety of science topics and you have an opportunity to ask questions of our guests at the end of their talks. All events are posted on SFI’s YouTube Channel.
NEXT EVENT
Saturday, June 21st 11:00 am EDT
Title: The James Webb Space Telescope
Speaker: Arjun Ayyangar
Arjun will discuss the history of the James Webb Telescope, the equipment used, and its goal to learn more about the history of the universe. He will also shine light on the James Webb Space Telescope recently detecting molecules like dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18. Arjun will explain the differences between the James Webb Telescope, Hubble Telescope, and Herschel Telescope.
Arjun Ayyangar is a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2018, and has received his Masters Degree in Computational Sciences and Robotics from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and another Masters Degree in Computer Science (Machine Learning Specialization) from Georgia Institute of Technology. He is currently working as a Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin, Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Arjun Ayyangar is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the piano, harp, organ, Indian Instrument Veena and Persian Instrument Santur. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for Empower the Children. His YouTube site is https://www.youtube.com/Ayyanga
FUTURE EVENTS
July 19th, 11am EDT
“Flagship Species: How Cheetah Conservation Drives Biodiversity”.
Speaker: Owen Swart.
This talk explores how focusing conservation efforts on a single species can drive broader ecological benefits, from habitat protection to public education and fundraising. By protecting cheetahs, we safeguard entire ecosystems—demonstrating that saving one species can mean saving many.
Admiral Owen Swart is a lifelong Star Trek scholar and a dedicated advocate for biodiversity and wildlife conservation. He works hands-on in cheetah conservation, focusing on ambassador animals, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and public education. Inspired by Star Trek’s vision of cooperation and sustainability, he applies these principles to protecting endangered species and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Charismatic megafauna like cheetahs capture the public’s imagination, making them powerful ambassadors for biodiversity.
PAST SPEAKERS 2024
Jan 18 2024 – Star Trek Star Charting: It All Fits Now! ~ Larry Nemecek, Author of Star Trek: Stellar Cartography
Feb 15 2024 – Astronomical Highlights 2024 and Beyond ~ John French, Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University.
Mar 21 2024 – Bound for Space! We Are Go for Grow! ~ Dianea Phillips, Aerospace Educator
Apr 18 2024 – Astrophotography: Yes, You Can! ~ Commodore Mike Calhoun, Director of STARFLEET Sciences
May 16 2024 – The History of Astro-Imaging ~ Dr. Ron Brecher, Astrophotographer
Jun 20 2024 – We are not alone. The quest to search for life from Socrates to Webb and Beyond ~ Salem Emara, NASA JPL Space Ambassador
Jul 18 2024 – Models for How Space/Time Travel Could Work – Matthew Szydagis, UAlbany SUNY
Aug 15 2024 – Physiology and Space Exploration, Phyllis Friello, Johnson Space Center
Sep 19 2024 – Artemis: From the Earth to the Moon, Sharife Gacel, Analog Astronaut
Oct 17 2024 – Black Holes – Arjun Ayyangar, NASA Solar System Ambassador
Nov 22 2024 Protecting the Final Frontier – Major Sam McEvoy, UK Space Command
Jan 16 2025 – The Universe Through Geordi’s VISOR, Dr Alfredo Carpineti
Feb 20 2025 – Power generation and warp drive, Douglas Johnston
Mar 8 – From the Depths of the Ocean to the Edges of the Cosmic Shore, Sarah Treadwell
Apr 26 2025 Humpbacks: The Star Trek Whales, Mark Palmer
YOUTUBE LINKS TO SOL EVENTS ON THE SFI YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Promo – https://youtu.be/m5SeRIfs3Lk?si=tMtcvSMqKKCfODPy
Jan 2024 event – Larry Nemecek https://youtu.be/tgcqzrmbn9k?si=tdXDPB2z8-nNI0fM
Feb 2024 event – John French https://youtu.be/DmetwemXgrQ?si=5b6-aXj8Lj6vUFZv
Mar 2024 event – Dianea Phillips https://youtu.be/fGR3-HGMeQA?si=16tQj2m8dEZOE5c9
Apr 2024 event – Mike Calhoun https://youtu.be/TnZZyCjkTTs?si=XTpcnAiQP9wEzTag
May 2024 event – Ron Brecher https://youtu.be/2SbcEfc-580?si=JxHfLz2O1rpdv1k0
Jun 2024 event – Salem Emara. https://youtu.be/oS7Ymz5HAaM?si=owFYw_JccUv_nbv
Jul 2024 event – Matthew Szydagis. https://youtu.be/p9vE4Gw9bqU?si=vguXmbd1k2UL7AXs
Aug 2024 event – Phyllis Friello. https://youtu.be/jHX8cRHmnoI?si=ciuhuQEGLI6qBuId
Sep 2024 event – Sharife Gacel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK4tlkWAgcw
Oct 2024 event – Arjun Ayyangar https://youtu.be/m3OV67gbB3U?si=GU6EviR1rlBVBnX9
Nov 2024 event – Major Sam McEvoy https://youtu.be/6UH-6kElrDI?si=TKIYm-oKbJOpLRuY
Jan 2025 event – Dr Alfredo Carpineti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0An-xVdFp8
Feb 2025 event – Douglas Johnston https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfEm9HK3EME
Mar 2025 event-Sarah Treadwell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmthVs1wheA
Apr 2025 – Mark Palmer TBA
Suggest a subject/speaker for the Sol speaker series: sfsci-director@sfi.org