Fritz Lieber & Alfred Bester are well-known science fiction writers during the 50's & 60's. These names were mentioned as missing or dead scientists by woman investigator during part 2 of series.
Ryan Robbins and Tricia Helfer appeared in the very first scene of "Battlestar Galactica" as the Armistice Officer and Cylon "Number Six" respectively.
The 'TC group' that is supposed to oversee the Ascension project is a play on the term 'Twin Cities' (TC) used for cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, supposed location of the Ascension project.