Speaker

Mamoru Mohri

Chairman, International Programme Committee of the SCWS2017/Chief Executive Director, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)/Astronaut

Japan

Dr. Mamoru Mohri is Japan’s first Scientist Astronaut, and the first Chief Executive Director of the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan). In 1992 he conducted 43 microgravity experiments with NASA Astronauts in the Spacelab-J and performed the first “Space Classroom”, broadcasted live and a Japan-wide event. His second flight in 2000 saw him deeply involved in an Earth environment observation mission. In 2003, Dr. Mohri broadcasted NHK’s first solar eclipse observation from Antarctica. Returning to Antarctica in 2007, he conducted a live, Earth environment science classroom from Antarctica in simultaneous connection with science museums in Japan, Australia, and Thailand. He also went 6,500m into the deep sea to feature science demonstration experiments. Dr. Mohri embraces exploring the unknown for science communication with public.

Jan Davis

Bastion Technologies, Inc.

United States

Dr. Jan Davis is currently Program Manager for Bastion Technologies, Inc. at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama. She began her NASA career at Marshall in 1979 as an aerospace engineer. In 1987, Dr. Davis was selected to join the Astronaut corps at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She spent more than 670 hours in space as a mission specialist over the course of her three Space Shuttle flights: STS-47 (1992), STS-60 (1994), and STS-85 (1997). During these flights, she orbited the Earth 325 times. In 1998, Dr. Davis became an executive at NASA, leading three organizations prior to her retirement in 2005. Dr. Davis earned her MS and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and has degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Auburn University in biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering, respectively.

Moderator

Aiko Doden

NHK Senior Commentator on International Affairs, NHK World Special Affairs Commentator

Japan

She has expertise in reporting on human security issues with a focus on sustainable development. She holds an MA in international affairs from Columbia University, New York, USA, and a BA in foreign studies from Sophia University, Japan.