About
STARDUST

Who We Are

A Cosmic Connection: Where Passion for Space Brought Jason & Shinul Together

 

At Stardust Inc., we believe that space exploration should not be limited to a select few—it should be an opportunity open to everyone. Founded with a passion for discovery and a commitment to innovation, we are dedicated to democratizing space education, training future explorers, and advancing technologies that bridge the gap between humanity and the stars.

We provide immersive learning experiences, astronaut training, and space technology development to inspire, educate, and empower individuals of all backgrounds to pursue careers in the space industry. Whether you are an aspiring astronaut, a student passionate about STEM, or an innovator seeking to make an impact, Stardust Inc. is your gateway to the cosmos.

Jason Michaud
CEO, Stardust Inc. | Future Private Astronaut | Space Industry Leader

A Lifelong Dreamer Turned Space Innovator

Jason Michaud is the Founder & CEO of Stardust Inc., leading global initiatives to advance space exploration, education, and workforce development. Raised in the remote town of Dubreuilville, he overcame the challenges of an isolated community to pursue a career in the space industry, now working to inspire and prepare the next generation for the new space economy.

With 80+ parabolas of microgravity, lunar, and Martian gravity flight experience, Jason is actively training to become a private astronaut. His work spans corporate diplomacy, space policy, and innovation, focusing on expanding access to space and bridging the gap between education and industry.

 

Building the Future of Space Exploration

Founder of Stardust Odyssey, a global space education program reaching hundreds of thousands of students across MENA, North America, and beyond International Collaborator, working with industry leaders such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, MDA, and ispace Space Careers & Workforce Development, creating pathways for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and explorers, Lunar & Mars Settlement Research, developing technology and training programs for future off-world missions

Shinul Paul COO, Stardust Inc. | Aerospace Engineer | Astrophysicist | UAV Specialist

Blending Passion and Science to Shape the Future of Space

Shinul Paul is an Aerospace Engineer and Astrophysicist with more than a decade of experience in aerospace technologies, space systems, space science, and UAV/RPAS. As the COO of Stardust Inc., he focuses on innovation in space research, astronaut training, and the development of next-generation aerospace infrastructure. His expertise spans deep-space research, space education, autonomous systems, and future space infrastructure development.

Throughout his career, Shinul has worked closely with government agencies, defense organizations, and leading aeronautical firms to advance cutting-edge technologies. He has collaborated with NASA, ESA, MDA, ICESCO, and other global entities, contributing to education, astronaut mental health research, space suits, eVTOL, and sustainable space exploration.

 

A strong advocate for STEM education and space accessibility, Shinul actively supports the UN Space4All initiative. His work is dedicated to shaping the future of space exploration and ensuring the next generation has the tools to reach beyond our planet.

Dr. Joshua Chou

Pioneering Regenerative Medicine and Brain Cancer Research from Harvard to Microgravity

Dr. Joshua Chou holds a PhD in tissue engineering and was awarded the highly prestigious Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Government Fellowship, through which he spent three years at the University of Tokyo investigating the therapeutic potential of stem cells.

His research at Harvard, published in Cell, one of the world’s most esteemed and high-impact biology journals, identified a specific hormone responsible for maintaining health through exercise. During his tenure at Harvard, he also initiated research into the effects of microgravity on cellular behavior, which he later translated into biomanufacturing technologies for stem cell and exosome production in regenerative medicine.

 

Dr-Joshua-Chou

Building on his expertise in stem cells, exosomes, and leadership in regenerative medicine, Dr. Chou has focused on exploring therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and brain cancer. In 2019, he was awarded funding from Australia’s leading brain cancer institute, the Charlie Teo Foundation, to develop the world’s most advanced brain cancer-on-a-chip model, aimed at improving the development of more effective brain cancer treatments.

Edward Gonzales

From Street Smarts to NASA Leader — Championing Diversity and Inspiring the Next Generation

An avid music lover and sneakerhead, Edward Gonzales has built a life walking the walk from street smart to business-savvy, first at one of Los Angeles’s prestigious law firms, then to “student-whisperer” at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory working with interns and underserved, underrepresented populations. Now, as NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility lead for Heliophysics, he brings his unique blend of experience to one of NASA’s most prestigious missions. Edward has been honored by many NASA awards and recognition and has made it his personal mission to ensure that the agency’s future workforce is more diverse and equitable than when he started his career there two decades ago. 

Edward-Gonzales

Having lost his father as a young teen, experienced police profiling and gang violence, he can relate to the struggles that many students face as they embark on their college and career journeys. He is eager to share that all paths to NASA aren’t linear and emphasizes the critical importance of creating a workforce pipeline that starts in school, leading to an exciting project called “Permission to Dream,” collaborating with Christopher Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness) to present inspirational talks at one thousand high schools across the United States (during the pandemic) Edward is the consummate comeback kid — all setbacks set you up for a comeback. 

Kris Luckraj

Crafting Stories at the Intersection of Art, Technology, and Human Experience

Master storyteller, art director, experience designer, and artist shaped by global agency collaborations and major brand campaigns across every media platform. Driven by a passion for blending art, design, and technology to craft narratives that resonate and leave lasting impressions. At the forefront of innovation, with achievements such as unveiling the first robotic dog model at Dubai Fashion Week. Deeply curious and inspired by a wide range of interests, from film and photography to motorsport, artificial intelligence, and space exploration.

Kris-Luckraj

Zain Tawana

From Inner Worlds to Outer Space: The Journey of a Visionary Mind

Zain Tawana is a multidisciplinary innovator at the intersection of psychology, immersive technology, space exploration, creative innovation, and visionary thinking to At Stardust Inc., he leads global impact and relationship strategies while advancing research in space psychology and mental well-being for analog astronauts and future interplanetary missions.

Zain holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology. During his academic journey, he was deeply involved in university social development societies, creative clubs, and media production, including the creation of a student telefilm that earned recognition from university leadership. These early experiences sparked his passion for storytelling and human behavior, leading him into the entertainment industry to explore social cognition firsthand. Rising from associate director to actor and eventually production head, Zain used this phase to understand how media shapes collective consciousness.

 

Zain-tawana

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zain shifted focus to digital mental health, providing therapy to over a large number of clients through Sukh-App. His pioneering work in online therapy has made psychological support more accessible and adaptive. During this period, he also began researching psychedelics and identified their immense potential as transformative tools for future mental health interventions.

As an independent researcher, Zain continues to explore the intersection of human consciousness and artificial intelligence.
Co-founder of HaythamXR—a Qatar-based immersive tech startup—Zain harnesses VR for education, healthcare, and well-being. Now at Stardust, he fulfills a lifelong dream inspired by a childhood fascination with the cosmos. Firm in his belief that humanity is a multiplanetary species, he is committed to preparing minds for the realities of space.

“Stardust and I are aligned on the same frequency,” says Zain. “Together, we’re opening new paths for this generation and the next to reach beyond Earth.”

Steve Smith

From Simulators to the Stars: A Visionary Journey in Aerospace Innovation

is a visionary engineering executive with over 25 years of experience leading breakthrough innovations in aerospace and simulation. As Director of Flight Systems at Blue Origin, he leads a high-performance team advancing the state-of-the-art in autonomous spaceflight and exploration. Previously, as Director of Innovation and Product Development at FlightSafety International, he drove the development of next-generation flight simulation technologies, transforming pilot training worldwide. A proven leader in technical strategy and product innovation, Steve has scaled engineering organizations, pioneered new technologies, and shaped industry standards. He holds an MBA from MIT and both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Kansas.

Steve Smith

Rocky Singh

Driving the Future of Aerospace and Space Diplomacy Through Strategic Innovation

Rocky Singh is the Principal and CEO of Third Rock Consulting, where he helps Aerospace, Defense, and Space companies align with government priorities while building long-term economic value. He specializes in strategic investment planning through Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) and offset frameworks, with a focus on cybersecurity readiness, R&D, DE&I, and sustainability.

With over 15 years of experience across aerospace, defense, transportation, and IT, Rocky is known for forging partnerships that connect government, industry, and academia. He’s led initiatives supporting Prime contractors and their supply chains, helping them enhance compliance, capacity, and competitiveness—whether through value proposition development, cybersecurity audit readiness, or executive-level planning.

 

Rocky-Singh

Rocky previously served as Company Security Officer for Larsen & Toubro Canada, where he helped shape the vendor strategy for the Navy’s AJISS program and supported the company’s Canadian expansion, working alongside federal and provincial ministers and global aerospace partners.

In addition to his work at Third Rock, Rocky is Chief Revenue Officer at Stardust Inc., leading international growth across MENA and ASEAN markets, and serves as a Senior Associate at Samuel Associates, where he supports international advocacy and diplomacy. His efforts have taken him from hosting foreign delegations to participating in industry sessions at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

An advocate for the NewSpace movement, Rocky remains passionate about humanity’s future in space. Outside of work, he practices martial arts, volunteers at his local hospital, and serves on multiple advisory boards.

Andrea Prazakova

Leading the Space and AI Economy with a Human-Centered Vision for the Future

Andrea Prazakova

I am a Human-Centered AI & Longevity Wizard—a TEDx speaker, investor, advisory board member, upcoming author, and the Founder, Human CEO & Chief AI Officer of BrainGym and Zufa.Ai. My mission is to future-proof individuals and businesses through AI upskilling, the New Space Economy, and Web3, with Longevity as a core pillar of my philosophy.

With 32 years of experience in innovation, banking, technology, and ESG across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, I now specialize in AI strategy, human longevity, and the intersection of technology and well-being. As a relentless practitioner of longevity science, I integrate biohacking, AI-driven health optimization, metabolic conditioning, and cognitive enhancement into my daily routine.

 

Andrea-Prazakova

In 2023, I founded Space Uncensored, a podcast dedicated to amplifying women’s roles in the Space and AI economy. My career spans leadership roles at Mastercard, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), BancABC, UniCredit, Erste Bank, and Raiffeisen, complemented by executive education at Harvard, INSEAD, Stanford d.school, and MIT. I am also a member and contributor to Forbes Technology counsel. Beyond my professional pursuits, I am a gourmet chef, health freak, fashion enthusiast, and the proud mother of two exceptionally cool boys. My goal is to embody a philosophy of high performance meets longevity, proving that curiosity, discipline, and innovation are the ultimate tools for a thriving future.

Check out my channels:

• My personal website

• BrainGym Limited

• LinkedIn

• Space Uncensored with Andrea Prazakova Podcast (13 episodes)

• Other podcasts I hosted or was guest on (26 episodes)

• My TedX

Rafael Kargren

Forging the Future of Space: From Extreme Environments to Global Strategy

Rafael Kargren With a career spanning over three decades at the forefront of the space industry, Rafael stands as a seasoned space entrepreneur and visionary.

Kargren has been an instrumental force in fostering collaboration between international space agencies and private enterprises. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish ventures that have not only pushed the boundaries of space technology but have also paved the way for a new era of public-private partnerships in space exploration.

Over the years, he has been working closely on many space related projects with space agencies around the world including NASA, ESA, JAXA, ISRO, Australian Space Agency and setting up space operations for a number of commercial companies such as RocketLab, OneWeb, SpaceX and Maxar.

 

Rafael-Kargren

Currently he is heading Oceania and Pacific Region at Maxar Technologies and is a visiting Professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU.

Rafael has been also playing critical role in developing and shaping space strategy in countries as Sweden, Luxemburg, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and New Zealand. He was one of the main drivers and contributors in development of Australian space strategy and founded Aerospace New Zealand.

Over the years, he contributed significantly to the development and execution of programs that pushed the boundaries of human understanding and technological capabilities.

One of Kargren’s standout accomplishments is his role in establishing extreme environment training centres for the European Space Agency. Recognizing the importance of preparing astronauts for the rigors of space travel, he played a pivotal part in setting up training facilities in Arctic regions, Antarctica, Svalbard and the Atacama Desert. These centres became crucibles for honing the skills and resilience of space explorers, exposing them to conditions mirroring those they might encounter in the far reaches of the cosmos.

Kargren’s leadership and innovative approach to space training garnered international acclaim, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. As a seasoned space entrepreneur, Rafael Kargren continues to inspire and lead, advocating for a future where humanity’s reach extends far beyond our home planet. With a legacy forged in the crucible of extreme environments and a vision reaching for the stars, Kargren remains a guiding light in the pursuit of the final frontier.

Dianea Phillips

From Zero Gravity to Zero Limits: Championing STEM Access for Future Explorers

Dianea Phillips, 

BEd’85, was 40 years old when she experienced her first zero-gravity flight.

“I fell in love with aerospace,” recalls Phillips, a Certified Aerospace Educator. “If it spins or flies, I love it. If it changes matter, even better!”

Phillips’s zero-gravity flight was the culmination of her participation in the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s 10-day Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, where she lived and trained like an astronaut alongside participants from around the world.

Space Camp was, in some ways, a dream come true. In elementary school, Phillips longed to study the sciences and math; in high school she wanted to be a pilot. But she grew up in a generation where those opportunities were most often reserved for boys.

 

Dianea Phillips

“My yearning was for science, for math, but it seemed there was always a reason I couldn’t do something,” recalls Phillips.

That experience of lacking access stayed with her, and she’s built a career around sharing her love of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with children who may not otherwise have access to these learning opportunities.

“If we don’t help them get inspired when they’re young, they become the children or young adults who are looking to the future with uncertainty,” says Phillips. “I want young people to know: You get to be the designer of what you want to be. You have every right – and you are deserving – to design and create your own path.”

Designing her own path – with students and science at the centre – is just what Phillips has done.

After graduating from McGill, she began her first teaching job in Nunavik in northern Quebec, where most of her students spoke neither French nor English. She learned how to be creative and develop hands-on learning approaches that transcended these language barriers. Following that, Phillips worked for 25 years as an educator with the Lester B. Pearson School Board, Quebec’s largest English school board, and led its Centre for Educational Excellence, a 10-year-long program that trained teachers and educated students in the sciences.

Today, Phillips is an entrepreneur and self-described “multiplatform professional,” drawing on her unique talents as an educator, storyteller, and youth life coach to engage students in inspiring STEM and space education projects both inside and outside of the classroom.

Phillips runs various informal education programs for children in and around Montreal, including Enchanting Tales Storytelling (for schools and libraries), as well as Science Yourself! No G’s About It! -STEM and STEAM Informal Education programs. In fall 2020, she launched an informal education “Space School” on the West Island of Montreal, featuring programs such as “STEMGENUITY” and NASA SPARX, a pilot initiative of NASA’s Next-Gen STEM project that aims to engage homeschooled children and students from underrepresented and underserved groups in aerospace education.

Phillips – whose exceptional contributions to space education were recognized with the prestigious Cherri Brinley Outstanding Educator Award during this year’s Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston – sees her different areas of expertise as closely intertwined, one building on the other to make students’ learning experiences more resonant and impactful.

“Storytelling can be brought into space work and vice versa; space work can be integrated into youth life coaching,” Phillips, a certified adult and youth coach, explains. “If we need examples of how to be strong, I can pull from a science experiment. If I need a kid to experience what strength is, we’ll use spaghetti noodles to build a tower. You see the power they feel constructing it; and when it falls, we learn about resilience, that we have to rebuild. It’s all intersected.”

When Phillips learned about the new McGill Black Mentorship Program – which pairs Black McGill students with Black McGill alumni, faculty or staff members to help them develop in their personal and professional goals – she saw mentoring as a natural extension of her vocation. It was also an opportunity to be the kind of role model she herself lacked during her academic journey.

“I didn’t have a Black mentor,” says Phillips, who was in her late 20s when she began her undergraduate studies in education at McGill. “To not see older Black women in positions of leadership – it’s tragic, because we need to see these people. We need to know they exist.”

Phillips is excited to see the mentorship program grow and hopes more members of McGill’s Black community will get involved to support Black students.

“Our youth need us. They need our experience, our wisdom, our stories, our ears,” says Phillips. “And more importantly, they need to know that there are people who are willing to do all of that for them.”