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TESATHE ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE ACADEMY

Our Team

Meet the Faculty

Experienced educators and aerospace professionals dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Meet Our Team

TESA Faculty

Our instructors bring decades of real-world experience in aerospace, space science, and STEM education to inspire the next generation.

Diallo Wallace, Founder of TESA - Naval Academy aerospace engineering professor and Space Camp Hall of Fame 2025 inductee

Space Camp

Hall of Fame 2025

Lt. Commander Diallo Wallace, USN (Ret.)

Founder & Lead Instructor

Naval Aviator | Aerospace Engineer | Educator

Credentials

  • Professor, U.S. Naval Academy Department of Aerospace Engineering
  • Ph.D. Candidate, Engineering Education, Purdue University
  • NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador (SOFIA 747)
  • Designed UC A-G approved STEM curriculum for grades 9-12
Holli C. Joyal, Award-winning science educator and Challenger Center National Space Science Teacher of the Year

Holli C. Joyal

Science Instructor

Award-Winning Educator | Space Science Specialist | 32 Years Experience

“Students' engagement and comprehension soar when they have a purpose. That's why hands-on space experiences are vital for our science-based economy.”

Credentials

  • Challenger Center National Space Science Teacher of the Year
  • M.S. Geoscience, Mississippi State University
  • JPL Solar System Ambassador
  • Phil Mickelson/Exxon Mobile Teaching Awardee
  • Mentored 2,000+ students through Space Camp experiences
  • Taught STEM programs internationally (Ghana, Honduras)
Binaymin Stivi, postgraduate aerospace engineer and cis-lunar satellite researcher

Binaymin Stivi

Aerospace Engineering Instructor

Orbital Mechanics Researcher | Space Force | UC San Diego

Credentials

  • Postgraduate Aerospace Engineer, UC San Diego
  • Specializes in orbital determination of cis-lunar satellites
  • Experience with orbital simulators and state estimation algorithms
  • U.S. Space Force
Daniel Gillman, Data Science and Applied Analytics Instructor and Head of Mathematics at TESA

Daniel Gillman

Head of Mathematics

Analytics Professional | Alumni Board and Non-Profit Leader | Georgia Institute of Technology

“Passionate about leveraging data, leadership, and service to create measurable impact in both professional and community settings.”

Credentials

  • M.S. Analytics, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • B.S. Applied & Computational Mathematics, University of Southern California
  • Two-Time Recipient of the Exemplary Annual Performance Review
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | Project Management Certified
Eileen M. Vélez-Vega, P.E., civil engineer, former Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation, and Space Camp Hall of Fame inductee

Space Camp

Hall of Fame 2024

Eileen M. Vélez-Vega, P.E.

Civil Engineering & Aviation Infrastructure Instructor

Professional Engineer | Former PR Secretary of Transportation | Space Camp Hall of Fame 2024

Credentials

  • M.S. Engineering, Mississippi State University
  • B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
  • Former Secretary, Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works
  • First Puerto Rican inducted into the Space Camp Hall of Fame (2024)
  • NASA Marshall Space Flight Center intern, Advanced Projects Office
  • First female “Distinguished Civil Engineer of the Year” awardee (CIAPR)