Matthew F. Reyes joined the Zero Gravity Corporation as volunteer flight coach in February 2005, and was promoted to Director of Technical Operations one year later. As a Flight Specialist with over 700 parabolas aboard G-Force One, Matthew is a key member of the ground & "float" crew responsible for the safety and enjoyment of ZERO-G's passengers, including Prof. Stephen Hawking in April 2007. In addition to overseeing ZERO-G's research and film programs, Matt also helps coordinate the weightless flight experience for educators in Florida and in cities across the United States for Northrop Grumman's Weightless Flights of Discovery program.
In 1999, Matthew received a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture with a specialization in Agricultural & Natural Resource Ethics and Policy from the University of Florida. As an undergraduate, Matt worked with the UF Radio Observatory for NASA Goddard's RadioJove and INSPIRE projects. His work produced the first live internet streaming of radio astronomy data (Jovian Decametric, Solar, & Earth Very Low Frequency radio emissions) to schools and amateur radio astronomers across the globe.
While pursuing graduate studies at UF in Plant Molecular Biology with Robert Ferl's lab, Matt helped analyze plant responses to microgravity and astronaut training protocols aboard NASA's KC-135. Additionally, Matt also conducted experiments studying plants at high altitude Earth and Martian pressures at the University of Guelph's Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility.
In 2000, Matthew was selected as a Research Associate for the Astrobiology Academy at NASA Ames Research Center, where he created a remote-sensing device to study hyper-gravity's effects on plant physiology and animal behavior. Subsequently, Lockheed Martin hired Matt as an Associate Scientist, with the intention to further develop an hyper-gravity imaging device for the shortly thereafter defunct ISS Centrifuge Accommodations Module.
That same year, Matthew also developed a successful sample-return mission that analyzed bio-geological samples from Mars-analogous alluvial features on Devon's Island. The purpose of the project was to assist in understanding the biological potential of the then-recently discovered Martian gullies. Although unable to travel to Devon's Island with that experiment, Matthew is excited to finally witness first hand where the action took place.
