Juli Berwald, PhD (April 5)

Juli Berwald received her PhD in ocean science from the University of Southern California. The author of Spineless and Life on the Rocks, which was an L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist, she has written for a number of publications including National Geographic, Texas Monthly, Smithsonian, Nature, and Science.

Dr. Jennifer Wiseman (April 6)

Dr. Jennifer Wiseman is an astrophysicist and the Senior Project Scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope. She studies the process of star and planet formation in our galaxy using radio, optical, and infrared telescopes. In her work with NASA, she engages the public through many talks, interviews, and writings. As the emeritus Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science “Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion” (DoSER) program she works to engage faith-communities as well, speaking in churches, other faith communities, and schools.   She enjoys giving talks on the excitement of astronomy and scientific discovery, and has appeared in many science and news venues, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NOVA and National Public Radio. She is a first generation college graduate, and grew up on an Ozark farm where she learned to love the natural world, including forests, animals, and night skies. Dr. Wiseman writes  that "storytelling, including telling my own personal story, is truly one of the most effective ways of making meaningful connections.”