A Reno Family Foundation Symposium - Breaking Barriers: Women in Space

Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 7:00 pm Join astronauts Dr. Sian Proctor, Amanda Nguyen and Sirisha Bandla, with moderator Athena Brensberger (@AstroAthens), for a panel on the women breaking barriers in space and working toward a more just future for all. Join us at the Museum of Science for an out-of-this-world conversation with the women who are changing who gets to go to space and why it matters here on Earth. Space has long been a place of firsts, but not everyone has had a seat at the table. Today, astronauts, scientists, and storytellers are opening doors, from commercial spaceflight to research on women's health in microgravity, and they are bringing the fight for equity and justice with them. What does it take to be the first? What does space exploration look like when more voices have a say in it? And how can the work being done in orbit help build a better future for everyone on the ground? Astronauts Dr. Sian Proctor, Sirisha Bandla and Amanda Nguyen share their journeys, the barriers they've broken, and what they hope comes next, in a conversation moderated by astronomer and science communicator Athena Brensberger, also known as @AstroAthens. Whether you're a lifelong space fan or just starting to look up, come be inspired by the people who are reaching for the stars and bringing the rest of us with them. Featuring: <img src="https://www.mos.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_1600_square/public/2026-10/Astronaut%20Dr.%20Sian%20Proctor.jpeg?itok=mUUKcRqV"> Dr. Sian Leo Proctor, PhD  Astronaut, Poet, Artist, Educator Dr. Sian Leo Proctor is a visionary poet, artist, educator, and space explorer. In 2021, Dr. Proctor made history as the first artist selected to become an astronaut with the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission. She is also the first woman commercial spaceship pilot and the only African-American woman to be a mission pilot. She engages in strategic conversations that unlock clarity, alignment, and forward momentum—enabling individuals and organizations to let their EarthLight shine. From personal growth to nonprofit leadership and corporate innovation, she guides transformational thinking through creative insight, systems awareness, and intentional strategic momentum through artistic expression. She is an international speaker and was the 2024-25 U.S. Department of State Science Envoy for Space. Her SpaceX Inspiration4 spacesuit is currently on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. <img src="https://www.mos.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_1600_square/public/2026-10/Amanda%20Nguyen.JPG?itok=PJBszztG"> Amanda Nguyen  Astronaut and Activist Amanda Nguyen is an astronaut and activist. She made history as the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman in space. Her bioastronautics research focuses on women's health. For drafting and passing sexual assault survivor rights in the United States and United Nations, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and awarded TIME Woman of the Year. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Saving Five. At NASA, she worked on Kepler exoplanet mission and the final shuttle mission. Amanda was a fellow at MIT and graduated from Harvard. <img src="https://www.mos.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_1600_square/public/2026-11/08f838f5-0fab-42ac-8380-72cf813a841b.jpg?itok=xHDaQp7_"> Sirisha Bandla Astronaut and Aeronautical Engineer Sirisha Bandla is an astronaut and aeronautical engineer with a career in the spaceflight industry that spans over a decade. Sirisha launched to space as part of Virgin Galactic’s Unity22 crewed test flight in 2021, conducting microgravity research while in space. Her spaceflight made her the second India-born woman to go to space and the fourth person of Indian descent. Throughout a majority of her career, Sirisha developed capabilities to advance science, research, and the technologies we can fly and develop in space. In this role, she worked with research customers to fly science and technology experiments on VG’s suborbital spacecraft. Sirisha continues to be a strong champion for science and technology development in pursuit of knowledge for a better world. Sirisha is an advocate for increased opportunities in STEM careers for the next generation of explorers.  As someone who had to break through barriers in her pursuit for the stars, she has dedicated her career to advancing access to space for everyone. Sirisha serves on the Space for Humanity and the Future Space Leaders Foundation Board of Directors, as well as on The Planetary Society and Purdue’s Engineering Advisory Council.   Sirisha has a Bachelors of Science degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering from Purdue and holds a Masters of Business Administration from the George Washington University. <img src="https://www.mos.org/sites/default/files/styles/width_1600_square/public/2026-10/3de7410f-2d9d-4b3a-9cc6-5507fd62394f.png?itok=nuI0HUwh"> Athena Brensberger (AstroAthens)  Astronomer, Science Communicator, and Educator Athena Brensberger is an astronomer and science communicator dedicated to making science fun through her content on Astroathens. She hosts PBS NOVA’s What the Physics?! and has worked with organizations like NASA, the SETI Institute, CrunchLabs, and the Museum of Science to build public engagement and involvement in science.  Athena earned her B.S. in Astronomy and Planetary Science from Arizona State University, and she researched planetary system formation at the Hayden Planetarium. She’s a Moonshot Award recipient, presented at the United Nations through the Novus Summit and Singularity University, and was selected as an inaugural mentor for the Museum of Science’s Digital Science Communication Fellowship. Through Astroathens, Athena aims to inspire the next generation of scientists to reach for the stars (literally)!

Museum of Science, Boston

Mimi Nguyen

Sean O’Connor

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A Reno Family Foundation Symposium - Breaking Barriers: Women in Space

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