Keynote

Keynote Speaker
Monday, April 25

Samuel H. (Hop) Bailey
University of Arizona Space Institute
Research Innovation & Impact
Tucson, AZ

Samuel H. (Hop) Bailey is a Program Manager, University of Arizona Space Institute. The Space Institute provides institutional resources to principal investigators seeking space flight mission, instrument, and science funding from NASA. The Institute mobilizes existing resources across all University units and existing and future relationships with key organizations for missions.

The UASI weaves a thread through all it pursues, bringing to bear the exceptional attributes of the UA through research and the formulation, proposal development, and management of major projects and space missions, advancing our understanding of the Earth and Universe.

Closing Keynote Speakers
Wednesday, April 27

Darryl Reano
Assistant Professor
School of Earth & Space Exploration
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Darryl Reano is a geologist and geoscience educator from Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. He recently began a new position as an assistant professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University. Darryl's research is focused on supporting the development of inclusive educational environments using Indigenous research frameworks. Darryl completed his PhD in the Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Department at Purdue University with a focus on geoscience education. Darryl’s dissertation focused on creating introductory geoscience educational materials that are place-based and culturally relevant for Indigenous students.

Alexander Soto
Director, Labriola Center
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Alex Soto (Tohono O’odham) is director of the Labriola National American Indian Data Center at Arizona State University (ASU) Library. Under his leadership, the Labriola Center has implemented culturally informed library research support services and Indigenized ASU’s community-driven archives initiative for tribal communities. Alex’s journey to librarianship comes after years of success as a touring hip-hop musician/educator and activist. During graduate school, Alex realized the importance of information literacy within tribal communities and the role of reparative archives in strengthening Indigenous sovereignty. Recently, Alex co-authored ASU Library’s first land acknowledgement statement. Alex believes Indigenous librarianship synthesizes his creative, cultural, and professional backgrounds as well as his commitment to Indigenous self-determination.