Madie has a background in limnology and aquatic biogeochemistry, with experience studying carbon cycling and ecosystem metabolism across diverse lentic ecosystems. Her research has utilized high-frequency sensor data as well as field and lab experiments to investigate relationships between dissolved organic carbon, metabolic process, and greenhouse gas production in lakes and wetlands.

Catie holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering with a minor in Environmental Studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Her early career included long-term population monitoring of elephant seals at San Simeon rookeries and diverse roles with the U.S. Forest Service, where she contributed to civil and environmental engineering, hydrology, and aquatic projects, as well as completing remote restoration efforts with a conservation team.

Ashley earned her B.S. (2008) from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Wildlife Ecology and Management and her M.S. (2013) from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay in Environmental Science and Policy. She spent the early part of her career working with a variety of wildlife species, including deer, grouse, bats and invertebrates for a variety of organizations including federal agencies, state agencies, universities and a private wildlife rehabilitation facility.

Mark Helmlinger is an applied aerospace physicist interested in the advancement of the art and science of remote sensing. Mark joined NEON in 2024. As NEON's AOP Calibration Scientist, he leads NEON's efforts to ensure the operational fidelity, accuracy, and NIST traceability of AOP's airborne measurements. This includes maintaining a hangar-adjacent optical laboratory for the regular calibration of the AOP payloads. Mark is also the ground truth lead for the AOP, a key component of validating AOP data products and ensuring accuracy over the lifetime of the Observatory.

Callie Puntenney is the engagement coordinator on the NEON engagement team. She provides engagement support to all NEON staff in aid of NEON’s mission to provide high-quality, long-term ecological data and infrastructure to a scientifically and culturally diverse set of users. Her work helps foster connection and communication between NEON and its partners, stakeholders, and communities.

Steve Stone is the Application Development Manager for the NEON Program, running the team responsible for the design and development of software components needed for ingest, processing, and delivery of data input streams.