Outreach

The University of Washington (UW) Planetarium serves as a platform to train the next generation of science communicators, bridging the gap between academic research and public engagement. With state-of-the-art projectors and astronomical software (WorldWide Telescope) our planetarium offers free planetarium experiences to the greater Seattle community. Each year, 30-40 dedicated astronomy undergraduate and graduate volunteers, alongside local amateur astronomy enthusiasts, present over 300 free shows to inspire the next generation of young students. Since 2022, I have been proud to serve as the program director and coordinator, working alognside with astronomy students, fostering partnerships with other UW departments and promoting astronomy education, science literacy, wellness programs centered around climate advocacy, mental health, and space policy.

Learn more about our planetarium here.

Sharing astronomy beyond the university is one of the most rewarding parts of my work, and I am always glad to talk about it wherever the conversation happens. I have appeared on KING 5 News in Seattle to bring astronomy to a local television audience, been featured on Pocket Science, the KUOW (Seattle's NPR station) podcast that visits scientists around the region to ask what they are working on, and joined the SETI Institute's weekly livestream, SETI Live, to discuss my research with a global audience.

I regularly give public talks on the science of stars, planets, and the surveys that watch the night sky, including at Astronomy on Tap, where astronomers share their research over a drink in a relaxed setting. Wherever possible, I bring the science into the room with hands-on demonstrations, because there is no substitute for seeing an idea in action. Even my Ph.D. defense included a live liquid nitrogen demonstration for the audience.

Engaging the public with science is a vital part of my work. Through various platforms, including YouTube, I strive to make complex astronomical concepts accessible and exciting for all. Below is a recent video discussing astronomical discoveries and their impact on our understanding of the universe.

StarBites Radio is a podcast I founded to unite students passionate about astrophysics. StarBites Radio was created to provide a platform for undergraduate astronomy students to come together and practice their science communication skills with an emphasis on the historical aspect of astronomy. We've launched two seasons covering topics from general relativity to women in astronomy. Join our community and listen to our episodes here and follow us on Instagram.

Throughout my undergraduate and graduate career, I have had the wonderful opportunity to organize several local astronomy hackathons. These events have allowed students to engage with hands-on programming experiences, data science, and research in astronomy in a collaborative and fun environment. From early hackathons where participants explored coding and data visualization, to more specialized events like the Gaia Data Sprint at the University of Washington, each experience has emphasized innovation and community.