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Our Team
Alvin L. Smith, Ph.D., PMP
S2X Board President & CEO – Dr. Alvin L. Smith is the President and CEO of “Space2Xplore”, a nationally recognized K-12 a science, technical, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education curriculum program focused on inspiring, engaging, and empowering students from disadvantaged communities to contribute, collaborate, learn, and innovate through space-related concepts. He is also a Planetary Protection subject matter expert and Manager working on NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission.
Dr. Smith is also a strong advocate for educational outreach, where he has led many technical training programs, university outreach initiatives, and multidisciplinary collaborations. After spending over 25 years as a medical countermeasure and biodetection consultant, a researcher in high containment laboratories, and a leader in aerospace, Alvin assembled a team of engineers and educators to create Space2Xplore, in an effort to cultivate the next generation of STEM and STEAM leaders through mentorship and hands-on project-based learning.
He has been awarded multiple times by the NASA community for his innovative approaches towards DEIA with Minority Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and has been the recipient of a host of other scientific and public service awards. He was recently recognized by Miami Herald and The Sun Sentinel as one of the most influential African Americans in South Florida (his home town), the United Negro College Fund, receiving the South Florida Legacy of Leadership Champion of Education Award.
Bryant Baldwin, Ph.D.
S2X Board Vice President - Bryant Baldwin is a Systems Engineer with a strong background in Mechanical Engineering with experience at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His areas of expertise include Thermal Science, Material Science, 3D Modeling & Simulations, Rapid Prototyping, and Project Management. Bryant received his Bachelors and Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Alabama.
Rachel Chai, Ph.D., MSCE, EIT
S2X Board Secretary - Rachel Chai is a recent graduate in Civil Engineering with a focus on Environmental Engineering. While attending school, she provided leadership to over 30 student tutors, and organized numerous campus-wide events. She assisted in delivering an advanced education in 5 engineering classes. Her areas of expertise include Wastewater Infrastructure, Geographical Information Systems, Rapid Prototyping, and Project Management. She has competed in several national and local innovation competitions and has placed top 3 in 6 competitions. Rachel received her Bachelors and Masters in Civil Engineering from the University of South Alabama.
Charna Cymone, CPA
S2X Board Treasurer- Charna is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience in financial institution accounting, franchise accounting, and individual taxation. She obtained a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with dual concentration in Accounting and Finance from The University of South Alabama. She fervently pursues assorted nonprofit endeavors to serve others and affect positive change.
Jelani A. Smith, M.S.
S2X Board Member - Strategic and Technical – Jelani A. Smith is an accomplished Electrical Engineer. He bring over two decades of engineering and management experience from both the private and government sectors. His technical expertise spans autonomous vehicle control, navigation, and robotics and has been leveraged by General Motors, Freescale Semiconductor Inc., and government agencies. Jelani graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Kettering University with a Masters of Science in Manufacturing Operations.
Sean Lueder
STEM Advisor/Mentor - Sean Lueder is an Assistant Teacher in Los Angeles, CA with deep expertise as Technology Intergrationist. He is an avid tinkerer, and spends most of his time building computers, drones, 3D printers, and robots. Mr. Lueder received his B.A. from San Francisco State University in studio art focusing on the conceptual information arts and sculpture.
Carissma McGee
STEM Advisor/Mentor - Carissma McGee is an undergraduate applied physics major, computer science and mathematics double minor at Howard University from Bear, Delaware. With experience at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, she is creative and has a passion for problem-solving. As a Karsh STEM Scholar, she is an inaugural researcher for the SPHEREx Mission set to launch in 2024, and this summer, she conducted applied physics research at Harvard University. McGee is also an activist and field organizer in partnership with her local Democratic Black caucus who advocates for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive future. She is the founder of the CNN featured “McConnell vs. Justice” civil rights initiative, has served on the Biden/Harris 2020 presidential campaign in Pennsylvania, and as a congressional intern for the honorable U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware). She looks forward to applying her sense of advocacy and servant leadership as a role model, philanthropist, and tech-focused innovator.
Melvin Stallings
STEAM Advisor/Mentor - Melvin is the founder of Cyber Green Group, a nonprofit STEAM program. Prior to that time, he spent several years as a Crime Scene Investigator for the Baltimore City Police Department. Melvin has over 18 years as an educator, where he has taught and wrote curriculums in Forensic Science, Algebra, and Physics on the middle and high school levels. In addition, to his work, Melvin is a member of National Science Teacher Association and the National Society of Black Engineers. Melvin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Norfolk State University and Master Degree in Education Leaderships from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, Maryland.
Gilbert Bahati
STEAM Advisor/Mentor - Gilbert Bahati a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He is part of the Advanced Mechanical Bipedal Experimental Robotics Laboratory and specializes on Control Theory and AI for robotic systems. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (Systems) from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) in 2020. Outside of research, Gilbert is involved in numerous initiatives aimed at increasing access to educational resources for underrepresented comminutes. Among those initiatives is the Marie-Claire Scholarship Fund – which he recently founded – aimed at providing fully funded high school scholarships for Refugee student victims in Zambia.
Gabriel Gaiusbayode
STEAM Advisor/Mentor - Gabriel is a graduate from the University of Dayton with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering, where he was President of Black Action Through Unity, and Vice President of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Gamma Theta Chapter. He has had professional experience as a Test Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer for General Electric Aviation, developing skills in LEAN Manufacturing and data analysis. His most recent experience with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a Materials Engineering Intern, has motivated his career passions to pursue a Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering, commitment to research in STEM, and passion to eventually join NASA’s Astronaut Space program. Gabriel is also a
writer & author of poetry book When You Get Older.
Dakotah Tyler, Ph.D.
STEAM Advisor/Mentor -
Dakotah Tyler went from Division I college football to studying the universe, trading the gridiron for galaxies after an injury redirected his path. He earned a PhD in Astronomy and astrophysics at UCLA, where he researched exoplanets and the evolution of planetary systems using some of the most advanced telescopes on Earth. His work has been published in leading astrophysics journals, and his research experience includes collaborations with institutions like Caltech, NASA, and Harvard.
Beyond academia, he makes science accessible through public talks, media appearances, and digital content. A passionate writer and educator, he is dedicated to bridging science, technology, and education, inspiring others to embrace curiosity, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge
Travis Jones
STEAM Advisor/Mentor -