Stella Melo obtained her PhD in Space Sciences from the Brazilian National Space Institute in 1994. In 2005, she joined the Canadian Space Agency as a Senior Program Scientist and provided scientific insight and leadership to the Atmosphere and Climate Program. During her time at the CSA, she also held the positions of Policy Analyst and Head of the Space Science Division, where she helped develop and implement the Strategic Plan for Scientific Development at the CSA. In 2014, Melo joined Environment and Climate Change Canada where she currently manages a team of scientists, engineers and technicians who are innovating the operational meteorological observing system in Canada.