UConn STARs: Science Technology and Astronomy Recruits

UConn STARs is a program for undergraduate students in physics, aimed to recruit and retain students from historically excluded groups in physics (including gender identity, sexual orientation, race, socioeconomic status, first generation status, documented status, disability status, as well as additional categories). UConn STARs offers one-on-one mentorship, professional development activities, social engagement, and a (paid!) opportunity to volunteer in the community, teaching elementary and high school students about physics. Sounds cool, right?

Applications are OPEN for the 2024/2025 Academic Year!

Join us for a meet and greet on Friday September 6th from 3-4pm in Gant South 117 and APPLY HERE by Monday September 9th. 

Tentative Calendar – Fall 2024 events

Check for updates here!

Program History: UConn STARS was started in Spring 2022 by Prof. Cara Battersby, Matías Lopez-Ortiz, Hannah Koziol, and Matt Regala. In Spring 2022, we had 7 STARs participants and we developed and taught four lesson plans at the SAND elementary school in Hartford. In AY22/23, we had 18 STARS members participate during the academic year and 10 participate in our annual outreach event at Hartford Public High School, where we developed and taught 4 lesson plans. In AY 23/24, we had 19 STARs members participate during the academic year, and 16 participate in our annual outreach event at Hartford Public High School, where we developed and taught 4 lesson plans.

News items: 2023 STARs Visit Hartford High school visit, 2024 STARs Visit Hartford High school visit

STARs Co-leads (current)

Eduardo Aguirre Serrata has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2023. Ed is a graduate student in physics.

 

 

 

 

Leilani Ainsworth has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2024 as well as a participant of the STARs program (since Fall 2023).

 

 

 

Micah Banschick has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2024 as well as a participant of the STARs program (since Fall 2023).

 

 

 

Cara Battersby (she/her) is a founder and has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Spring 2022. Cara is a professor in the physics department specializing in astrophysics. She uses large-scale observations and numerical simulations to better understand how star formation varies in extreme environments, such as our Galaxy’s Center (read more about the Milky Way Laboratory). Dr. Battersby believes that Black lives matter, no human is illegal, trans rights are human rights, and that equal access to education is the recipe for a better world.

Rachel Cleveland has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2022 as well as a participant of the STARs program (since Spring 2022). She is a general physics major. She is currently learning about the research experience as a McNair Apprentice. Rachel hopes to go into actual astrophysical research next summer. She is a strong advocate for diversity within all STEM fields and aims to contribute to making the physics program more inclusive!

 

 

Alondra Muñoz-Escobedo has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2022 as well as a participant of the STARs program (since Spring 2022).

Elias Oakes has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2022. Elias is a graduate student studying giant interstellar clouds of dust and gas and their contributions to star formation (check out pictures from my collaboration PHANGS here!). He grew up in NYC and went to school in Chicago, so says he is compensating for his past lack of stars by studying astronomy at UConn.

Brooke Parker Thibodeau has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2022 as well as a participant of the STARs program (since Spring 2022).

 

 

 

 

Zach Ritchey has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2023. Zach is a graduate student in physics studying magnetic materials for cryogenic refrigeration applications. He is also interested in microstructural tunability of functional oxide material properties.

 

 

 

 

 

John Trujillo has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2024 as well as a participant of the STARs program (since Fall 2022).

 

 

 

 

London Willson has been a co-leader of the STARs program since Fall 2022. They are a graduate student in astrophysics.

 

 

STARs Co-Leads (former):

Danya Alboslani was a co-leader (Fall 2022 – Spring2024) and participant of the STARs program (Spring 2022 – Spring 2024). Danya worked in the Milky Way Laboratory and completed a research experience for undergraduates at the Maria Mitchell Observatory in Summer 2022. In Fall 2022, she studied abroad in Sweden and she graduated from UConn in Spring 2024.

 

 

Nina Bolard was a STARs program co-leader (Fall 2023 – Spring 2024) and participant (Spring 2023 – Spring 2024).

 

 

 

 

Matías Lopez Ortiz is a STARs program co-founder and was a co-leader of the program in Spring 2022. Matías was instrumental in getting the STARs program up and running and we are forever indebted to his vision and dedication! He is pursuing teaching adventures in California at the moment and is sorely missed.

Dani Lipman was a co-leader of the STARs program from Fall 2022-Fall 2023. Dani is a graduate student studying the center of the Milky Way. She grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and has spent much of her career creating programs for engaging local communities with science. She also traveled to China to study the impact of university professors participating in science outreach and community engagement. Dani is a firm believer that sharing knowledge is a core responsibility of all scientists, and that actively promoting diversity in all areas of STEM is necessary to do so! She is excited to be a part of STARs!

 

 

Sangeeta Khuchibhotla was a STARs program co-leader (Fall 2023 – Spring 2024) and participant (Spring 2022 – Spring 2024).

 

 

 

 

Hannah Koziol is a STARs program co-founder and was a co-leader of the program in Spring 2022. Hannah led one of the undergraduate “families” and played a critical role in getting the STARs program started. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree at UConn in Spring 2022 and is currently pursuing a PhD in sunny California!

Rei-Matthew Regala is a STARs program co-founder and was a co-leader of the program in Spring 2022. Matt led the other undergraduate “family” and was vital in helping to develop the vision for STARs. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree at UConn in Spring 2022 and is currently working in industry (also in sunny California… sensing a theme here…).