Dennis works for NASA on microgravity combustion experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) and previously did so for space shuttle experiments.  Some of his combustion research has also been conducted in drop facilities, in which short periods of microgravity (i.e., apparent near weightlessness) can be achieved.  Currently, Dennis works as the Project Scientist of the Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME) project.  With over 4 years of testing on the ISS (2017-2022), over 1500 flames were ignited for six independent experiments.  For updates, photos, etc. on ACME and similar research, see www.facebook.com/space.flames/ or www.flickr.com/photos/space-flames.

In addition to his technical work, Dennis is actively involved in NASA’s educational outreach to teachers, students, Scouts of both genders, and the general public.   He primarily focuses on human space exploration (e.g., see www.facebook.com/NASA.Women.of.ISS or www.facebook.com/NASAbsa/) and microgravity research.  As an example, he helps lead challenges in which secondary students can design and build microgravity experiments that are tested in drop facilities as described at https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/education-outreach/drop-tower-competition/.