Crew 177 - Lonestar Highlanders

Otsmar Villarroel – Commander

Dr. Otsmar Villarroel holds a bachelor degree in chemistry/geochemistry from Universidad Central de Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela, as well as a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Baylor University in Waco,Texas. As a graduate student, Dr. Villarroel authored and co-authored 7 scientific articles, all accepted for publication in important per reviewed journals. His career as a chemistry professor began in 2013 as an Adjunct Instructor at McLennan Community College (MCC), Waco,Texas, where currently serves as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Villarroel also taught at The University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, Texas. In 2016 he served as a Co-Commander at the Mars Desert Research Station as part of the MCC Mars 101 program.

Victoria Labarre – XO

Victoria Labarre is currently pursuing an associate’s degree of science in Electrical Engineering. Her passion is robotics in health care.

Much of her free time is spent either researching or wiring up circuits in various robots. She was a volunteer robotics mentor for an after school program at Indian Springs Middle School and a volunteer for the robotics and electronics academy at her old technical high school, The Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy. She hopes to one day develop a company that will make robotic assistants for nurses and doctors the norm for patient care.

Becky Breedlove Parker – Crew Journalist

Becky Breedlove Parker is a marketing instructor that came to this profession after spending 20+ years in the advertising/marketing agency business. She proclaims that, "Working with students has been rewarding in a way that working for clients never was for me."

She loves to try new things and, while claiming to not be artistic, she considers creativity one of her greatest strengths. Her creativity might take the form of solving problems, planning a child’s birthday party, or upcycling stuff around the house. Her favorite pastimes are practicing yoga, riding her bike, and reading.

Elijah Espinoza – Crew Engineer

Elijah Espinoza is a freshman at McLennan Community College. His long term plan is to graduate from Texas Tech University with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. His short term plan is to graduate from MCC with an associates in Mechanical Engineering. Elijah states that he would like to get a job working in energy after he graduates college. One fact about Elijah that he likes to share is that he built a seismograph in high school as a project for one of his engineering classes.

Esteban Ramirez – GreenHab Officer

Biography coming soon!

Joseph Quaas – Crew Engineer

Joseph Quaas lives in Lorena Texas and is currently attending the Honors college at Mclennan Community College. He is currently pursuing a Computer Science major and wishes to continue at Texas A&M or some other acclaimed university.

Pitchayapa Jingjit – Crew Journalist

Pitchayapa Jingjit was born in Ranong, Thailand. From pre-kindergarten through elementary school, Pitchayapa lived in Thailand. In 2009, she and her family moved to Waco, Texas where she started her education at University Middle School. This was challenging for Pitchayapa because she had to learn a new language as well as trying to meet middle school core curriculum at the same time. In 2016, Pitchayapa graduated from Midway High School in the top twenty percent of her class.

During her years in high school, she developed an interest in science and lab works. Pitchayapa stated that she took advanced placement courses in biology and chemistry. In addition to her science studies, she was involved in community services with Salvation Army, Providence Hospital, and Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. These experiences taught Pitchayapa to work well within groups and individually.

Her immediate educational goal is to prepare herself for a career in the health field. Ideally, Pitchayapa would like to be accepted in a medical school.

Caleb Li – Crew Geologist & HSO

Chenguang Li is currently studying in associate science (A.S) degree in Electrical Engineering at McLennan Community College, Waco, TX. He is interested in statistical quantitative analysis, electrical circuits, solving practical problems using fundamental engineer disciplines.

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