Winter 2025 Newsletter: A Celebration of Black Excellence in Astronomy

 

Letter from the Chair

Dear UW Astronomy Community,

At this moment, even as NASA's DEI pages go dark, portraits of pioneering scientists of color are removed from NIH halls, and vital programs like the NSF MPS-Ascend Fellowship are discontinued, UW Astronomy remembers that scientific excellence is built on the contributions of diverse talents. We celebrate the brilliant constellation of perspectives, experiences, and talents that make our community extraordinary. Our commitment to creating an environment where every scientist can thrive remains unwavering - where our policies and practices ensure all voices are heard and all talents can shine. As Ohio Congresswoman Shontel Brown reminds us, the moral arc of the Universe "does not bend towards justice on its own—no, it only does so because people pull it towards justice. It is an active exercise, not a passive one."

In this spirit, we dedicate our Winter Newsletter to Black History Month and to spotlighting the groundbreaking work being led by Black astrophysicists in our department. Black excellence is not a threat to our institutions - it is the foundation of our future scientific discovery. While some may seek to erase these contributions, we choose instead to amplify and center them.

Our department has grown with the addition of new members this year. Two new faculty members, Professors Nora Shipp and Arianna Long, a cohort of exceptional postdoctoral scientists, three studious first-year Ph.D. students, and our largest-ever cohort of undergraduate majors bring fresh energy and perspectives. Our dedicated staff team grows with Ricky Chon, who brings thirteen years of experience in educational equity to Astronomy academic advising, and Liza Young, whose sixteen years of administrative expertise has been invaluable in helping us to better coordinate our expanding programs and support our broader community.

Our community's resilience shines through in remarkable achievements in the past few months. The Simonyi Telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has achieved first light, and recently released an extraordinary 144 Mpix image from the commissioning camera. In the next year, upcoming data releases will usher in a new era in astronomy. We celebrate UW undergraduate astronomy major Giovanni Gollotti's Chambliss poster prize and Ph.D. candidate Steven Stetzler's Doxsey thesis prize at the January AAS meeting this year. Professor Nora Shipp has been awarded the prestigious Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) Scialog grant for Early Science with the LSST, a recognition that highlights her innovative contributions to astronomy and strengthens our department's position at the forefront of cosmological discovery. Our new Pacific Indigenous Astrophysics program in Hawaiʻi, launching this August under Program Director Dr. Brittany Kamai's leadership, centers Pacific Indigenous scientific traditions and knowledge systems in understanding the cosmos.

In the face of attempts to undermine institutional support for science - from funding pauses to retroactive overhead caps that threaten research nationwide - we remain undaunted. Our collaboration with AAAS SEA Change continues to strengthen our inclusive practices. Our research continues to break new ground, from mapping hundreds of millions of stars in our galactic neighborhood to understanding carbon transport in distant galaxies.

Sometimes the best resistance is finding joy in community and showing up for each other. As we prepare for LSST's revolutionary survey beginning this spring, we recommit ourselves to the principle that diversity drives discovery. Black excellence in astronomy isn't just something we celebrate during February - it is fundamental to who we are and how we succeed.

Please enjoy this very special issue of our Winter 2025 Astronomy Department Newsletter!

Sincerely,

Jess Werk

 

Faculty Spotlight: Professor Arianna Long

Interviewed by Professor Jess Werk

On a chilly February morning, I sat down with Dr. Arianna Long, one of the University of Washington's newest astronomy faculty members, over steaming cups of rooibos tea. Professor Long studies massive galaxies in the early universe, using cutting-edge telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope to peer back in time to when the universe was less than two billion years old. Her research has revealed that nearly half of all stellar mass in our local universe is bound in giant elliptical galaxies that rapidly assembled their stars over remarkably short timescales before abruptly stopping - a mystery that challenges our understanding of galaxy evolution. But beyond her groundbreaking research, she's equally passionate about transforming how science is done, developing innovative mentoring frameworks to support underrepresented groups in astronomy.

Q: What drew you to studying galaxies, particularly the massive ones in the early universe?

"I got a scholarship to space camp as a kid, thinking it would be all about astronomy, but it focused on rockets and being an astronaut. There's this funny picture of me looking very sad while everyone else is smiling. When I finally tried research in grad school, I initially studied young stars, which didn't excite me, and then cosmology, which felt too abstract despite my math degree. But galaxies - galaxies were this perfect intersection of everything. You have stars, gas, dust, you can bring in cosmology if you want. It felt like this wonderful confluence where you need to know a little bit about all areas of astronomy. Now what keeps me going is revisiting old paradigms with new observatories and discovering weird objects that challenge our understanding. I've always liked the weirdos - I even tease my undergraduate class about how 'boring' normal spiral galaxies like our Milky Way are."

Q: What experiences shaped your path to becoming an astronomer?

"My first astronomy class in college was transformative - it was the first class that truly excited me. The things that really terrified me - sometimes it feels like the reason I like astronomy is because it terrifies me - were the timescales of things and just how vast everything is, and how insignificant our lives and our human existence is. When I went and talked to the professor about changing my major from math to astronomy, they said 'don't do it, there are no jobs.' I was at a small state school where I'd gone to be a math teacher.

After college, I worked in business for a bit. I hated it. It's horrible. I'm not built for that world - it's a lot of schmoozing and changing numbers to make the client happy, even though the numbers were derived in a mathematically sound way.

Then I joined a bridge program at Cal State LA, and that was pivotal for me. It was the first time I was in a class where other people shared any aspects of my identity. When I was an undergrad as a math major, I was often the only woman, and definitely the only person of color. I had professors in my math classes with whom I'd been taking classes for years, who would still ask me if I was in the wrong class. At Cal State LA, most of my classmates were students of color with similar backgrounds. Suddenly I had friends to study with and to talk to about science and our other shared interests. It made me feel like I could belong there."

Q: Was there ever a moment when you questioned whether academia was the right path?

"In my third year of grad school - I think most Ph.D. students go through this - I hit serious burnout. It's completely valid to question whether you want to stay in academia at that point. I had that moment and went and shadowed three different people who had gotten their Ph.D.’s. from Irvine to see what they did outside of academia. I just was not excited about any of it. That moment, while not exactly delightful, was clarifying. I realized that what truly brought me joy was being in academia - which isn't true for everyone, but it was undeniably true for me.

Having the courage to admit that to yourself is terrifying, because you know it's going to be hard to stay in academia. I always had one foot out the door because it felt like a survival thing - you just have to know that you can do something else. But in that moment, realizing I really wanted this career, it was terrifying. You're signing up not only for the culture, but the fierce competition, and it's not clear - it's not a race where you know how to win it. It's more like perseverance and right place at the right time. You must relinquish a lot of control. There are strains on your relationships, your wallet. Moving for academia, there's so much that you sacrifice for this job. But for me, it was very clear - if I'm going to spend eight to ten hours a day somewhere, I want to like it."

Q: Throughout your career, which mentor has had the most significant impact on your development as a scientist?

"I'm very into mentorship as a concept, and one of my core beliefs is that you need a broad network - it's hard to point to just one or two mentors. I've had mentors who advocated for me behind closed doors, like my PhD advisor and postdoc supervisor, who nominated me for opportunities without me even asking. But in terms of explicit advice, there's one moment that really stands out. I was getting ready to apply for postdocs, and everyone was saying I should go to Ivy League institutions or work with big-name senior scientists. But I had this more junior person recruiting me with whom I already had a productive collaboration and who treated me like an independent scientist even as a graduate student.

I was struggling with this decision when I talked to Dr. Jedidah Isler, who started VanguardSTEM. She asked me, 'Do you think you could do better science in a place where you're celebrated and supported, or in a place where you feel like you're in competition with everyone else?' That clarity was transformative. I went with the more junior postdoc mentor and never regretted it. It was so much fun, and I was celebrated and supported. I still share this advice with students today."

Q: How has becoming a faculty member changed your perspective on research and mentorship?

"It's only been a little over six months, and already it feels like a lot has changed. I knew that I would take being in a position of power and leadership very seriously. But I didn't realize how almost every single day, I would be confronted with multiple opportunities to, for lack of a better term, be a shitty person. It takes so much work and energy to really breathe and digest what's happening and respond accordingly, and it's coming from every different angle - research, classes, administrative things. That weight was a lot heavier than I expected. But I've also found unexpected joy in watching students explore different research directions - seeing one become fascinated by cosmic dust, another drawn to galaxy clustering. Clustering is something that I always knew was possible with my data and samples, but not something I was necessarily super excited to explore. Now it's happening, and there's new things popping up, and I really love that part. It is beautiful watching students grow into independent scientists with their own curiosities.

I've always been a big-picture thinker with a thousand ideas and never enough time. Having a research group now means we can explore all these different branches together. What's particularly exciting is seeing which unexpected directions become significant. Sometimes it's the smallest questions that lead to the biggest discoveries."

Q: When you're not exploring the cosmos, how do you recharge?

"Definitely quality time with loved ones is essential. I love my partner and my dog, and I do long walks to get coffee and tea on the weekends and go on little cabin trips. I'm also an avid reader of science fiction, particularly Octavia Butler. Her work resonates deeply because she creates science fiction worlds that play with gender and race in ways that traditional sci-fi often doesn't.

Q: If you could only bring three books with you to a remote island for a year, what would they be?

"The first one - and this really only matters if there are other people on this island - would be The Four Agreements. It's similar to The Alchemist in spirit, offering a simple but profound framework for navigating the world and being a good person. It's about not taking things personally, being true to your word, speaking honestly. I read it young, and I still pick it up periodically to ground myself in those principles.

The second would be Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis series. I could read that one again and again. Some people get really weirded out by it - it's about this future where Earth has gone through nuclear warfare, and an alien race comes to rescue the remaining humans by blending DNA with them. It explores all these fascinating questions about survival, relationships, and what it means to be human. I find new layers every time I read it."

Q: And the third?

"Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown. It's a collection of essays about the importance of joy and pleasure in life, especially if you're working against any sort of system. It includes writings from both Brown herself and other academics, really OG feminists like Audre Lorde. Her book shifted my entire perspective on joy and pleasure, teaching me that life shouldn't be all pain and suffering, even when you're working towards a goal; that moments of joy are important towards getting towards your goal, because ultimately it makes you a better person. It's better for your brain, it's better for your body. You're more of a joy to be around. There is this quote from this book that I like I live by: 'When I am happy, it is good for the world.' And that's how I see it too."

 

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Graduate Student Spotlight: Bethlee Lindor

Interviewed by Professor Jess Werk

 

 

In February, I connected with Bethlee Lindor, an NSF Graduate Research Fellow and Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Astronomy, to spotlight her research and experiences. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haïti, and raised in the Northeast U.S., Bethlee now applies her mathematical talents to innovative approaches in planetary system detection and characterization. Working with Professor Eric Agol, she's developing analytical models that treat our solar system as if it were a distant exoplanetary system—a creative reversal that provides fresh insights into both fields. Between advancing our understanding of planetary dynamics and finding moments to enjoy the Pacific Northwest's intermittent sunshine, Bethlee represents the next generation of astronomers challenging conventional approaches to planetary science.

Q: What moment in your academic journey first sparked your interest in astrophysics?

"Well, I've always been interested in science. I remember when I was in middle school, I was part of this program where we would go to a local university and take an advanced biology class. I feel like scientific investigation methods and doing cool experiments pulled me in. Then once I was in high school, I had to think about what kind of science I wanted to pursue at the college level. And that's where I was really stuck between genomic biology and Astronomy.

Eventually though I decided against biology just because I hated chemistry and dreaded having to take organic chemistry in college. I felt like astronomy was a field that would always be interesting and there were seemingly constant discoveries being made (especially in the exoplanetary field). It was also during this time that I started watching the follow up to the Cosmos TV show, so I guess, thanks Carl Sagan."

Q: What inspired your innovative approach to apply methods typically used for exoplanet detection to our solar system?

"I remember Eric, my advisor, telling me about this project that he had started with a former student: They were simulating what effects the Sun's stellar noise had on retrieved planetary parameters to inform missions like Plato. Anyway, disaster struck when his laptop crashed, and Eric lost maybe a year of research. But as devastating as that was for him, it opened the door for me to explore the possibilities if stellar noise was not an issue. Having external funding through a graduate fellowship was huge plus!"

Q: How has working with Professor Agol influenced your approach to scientific investigation?

"Eric and I are very similar types of people: he likes to explain maths; I like to listen to maths being explained. [laugh] After the computer crash, Eric also started using the language Julia and has adapted to using Julia for everything. So, I have also spent the time learning this new programming language, and how to develop software for open-source use."

Q: How has studying our solar system as an exo-system changed your perspective on exoplanet detection?

"Well, it's shown me that our solar neighborhood is very special. On top of that, we're decades away finding a system that even closely resembles ours."

Q: What research accomplishments from the last year represent significant milestones in your doctoral work?

"Aside from submitting my second pa­per for publication, completing my general exam was a huge milestone! That week was quite possibly one of the worst weeks of my life. The amount of "how much I think I know about pebble accretion" went from a little, to a solid amount, to a lot more than expected in the time frame, then back to a little. There came a point when my brain just couldn't absorb any more information. "

Q: What aspect of UW astronomy community has most enriched your graduate school experience?

"I've found some of the most caring, supportive, smart, and respectful individuals in my graduate peers. When I need to get away from my work, or a different perspective, there are certain people who I can always count on. I think it's very easy for me to fall into a self made 'isolated investigator' trap, and I'm very grateful to the other students."

Q: Where in Seattle do you go to clear your mind?

"I like going to Woodland Park and walking amongst the trees. If I'm more limited for time, then a brief walk to the Seafab café while listening to music."

 

Astronomy Highlights

A New Era in Survey Science

Simonyi Survey Telescope Dedication: From left to right; Zeljko Ivezic, Director of Rubin Construction; Andrew Connolly, Director of the eScience Institute at the University of Washington; Bob Blum, Director of Rubin Observatory Operations; Victor Krabbendam, Project Manager for Rubin Construction; Beth Willman, Chief Executive Officer for the LSST Discovery Alliance; Andrew Baker, AURA Board Vice-Chair Charles Simonyi; Alejandra Voigt, Vice President and Head of Mission for AURA Observatory in Chile; Kathy Turner, DOE’s Program Manager for Rubin Observatory; Dan Akerib, Interim – Associate Lab Director, Fundamental Physics Directorate, SLAC; Edward Ajhar, NSF Program Director for Rubin Observatory; Phil Marshall, Deputy Director of Rubin Operations for SLAC; Pat McCarthy, NOIRLab Director; Tony Tyson, Rubin Observatory LSST Chief Scientist.

The first photons have been collected by the Simonyi Telescope at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, marking a pivotal moment in observational astronomy. The initial 144 Mpix images demonstrate unprecedented detail, allowing us to peer deeper into our cosmic neighborhood than ever before. As we approach Data Preview 1 in July 2025, our department stands ready to leverage this revolutionary dataset to answer fundamental questions about our Universe.

To celebrate the release of the data taken with Rubin's commissioning camera, we are pleased to announce that the Department of Astronomy will be hosting its first Rubin Data Sprint. This event will present an exciting opportunity for UW faculty, staff, and students to start working with Rubin data (we have already found cataclysmic variables, AGN, asteroids, and supernovae in the commissioning data).  Whether you are experienced in data analysis or just getting started, there will be people available to help you work with the data and tools for analyzing it. The sprint will provide a collaborative environment where participants can explore datasets, develop analytical skills, and connect with others interested in Rubin science.

How should you prepare for the event? Think about the science case you want to try out with the commissioning data (images that span the u,g,r,i,z,y passbands in 7 separate 0.5 degree radius regions on the sky with each region observed between 50 to 900 times over a 5 week period). Bring that idea and start working with the data!

We will host this event in eScience. The exact date will be announced once the Rubin team have finalized the release date, so please stay tuned!

Research Breaking New Boundaries

The CHOIR Collaboration, including UW members Drs. Arianna Long and Gourav Khullar, exemplifies a commitment to challenging conventional wisdom in astronomy. Their upcoming conference "New Data that Challenge Underlying Assumptions in Early Galaxy Evolution" has secured prestigious Heising-Simons funding and will bring leading researchers to Acadia National Park in Maine this summer. This gathering represents exactly the kind of bold, assumption-challenging science we need as JWST data pour in. The CHOIR Collaboration has also launched a vital mutual aid program to support colleagues affected by recent federal funding disruptions that have impacted the space sciences community. This initiative demonstrates our field's commitment to supporting one another through challenging times. Those seeking support or wishing to contribute can find more information through the CHOIR Collaboration website.

 

Expanding Our Educational Horizons

Our new Pacific Indigenous Astrophysics UW Study Abroad program represents a fundamental shift in how we teach astronomy. Students will immerse themselves in the islands of Hawaiʻi, learning how Pacific Islanders have connected with the night sky for millennia. This program goes beyond traditional astronomy education - it acknowledges and celebrates different ways of knowing and understanding the cosmos. The 20 students selected to participate in the first year of this program will work directly with practitioners of traditional voyaging techniques, learning how ancient wisdom continues to inform modern navigation and astronomical understanding.

Upcoming Social Events

Black History Month Celebration Lunch - February 28^th

 

Join us on Friday, February 28th at 12:30pm outside PAB C341 for a department-wide lunch celebration featuring cuisine from Island Soul Food, Columbia City's renowned Caribbean-Soul restaurant. This gathering honors Black History Month in Astronomy and provides an opportunity for our community to come together in celebration of Black excellence in our field.

Celebrating π Day with Purpose

Join us on March 14th as we welcome prospective graduate students and celebrate π Day. The department will gather for a tamale lunch (from Frelard Tamales!) outside of PAB C341 at 12:30pm, followed by Professor Emeritus Suzanne Hawley's remarkable white board writing of π to 100 digits from memory. Community members will share homemade pies, and we'll conclude they day with a special happy hour in the planetarium at 4pm - bringing together current and future department members beneath the stars. In uncertain times, we choose to celebrate our community and the universal constants that unite us.

 

Public Outreach

This year, Professor James Davenport has taken on the role of Faculty Director for Outreach in the Department of Astronomy. Under his leadership, and along with the efforts of many dedicated Ph.D. students, postdocs and undergraduates, our department continues to sponsor a wide range of events and programs that connect astronomers to the local community. We are working hard to improve our programs and upgrade our public-facing facilities, so look for new and exciting events coming soon!

Astronomy on Tap - 4th Wednesdays of the Month, 7-9PM

https://astro.washington.edu/astronomy-tap

We’re so grateful for the amazing community support for AoT Seattle! You can help us get new projectors to support these free shows at our crowdfunding page

The UW Mobile Planetarium

https://astro.washington.edu/uw-mobile-planetarium

Our student-led mobile planetarium visits schools throughout the Seattle area.

The UW Planetarium hosts visiting groups almost every Friday and will soon restart our popular monthly public evening shows!

https://astro.washington.edu/uw-planetarium

Open House Nights at Jacobsen Observatory

https://astro.washington.edu/jacobsen-observatory

We’re currently closed for the Winter and are looking forward to opening the historic observatory again starting in April.

Supporting Our UW Astronomy Community

The strength of UW Astronomy lies in our extended network of supporters, alumni, and friends who share our vision of mutual support in astronomical research and education. Our community building events, student support initiatives, and efforts to make astronomy more accessible require sustained commitment - both in energy and resources. As we face unprecedented challenges to scientific institutions, building robust networks of support becomes even more critical.

You can help ensure the continuation of our vital community programs by contributing to our featured funds on this page. Your support enables us to host events that bring our community together, provide opportunities for students from all backgrounds, and maintain the strong departmental culture that makes UW Astronomy a leader in both scientific excellence and institutional change.

Together, we can ensure that the next generation of astronomers has the resources and support they need to unlock the mysteries of our Universe - from mapping the cosmic web to discovering potentially habitable worlds among the stars.

Group Meetings/Regular Events

RAGE - Ruminating About Galaxy Evolution in the Early Universe – contacts: Gourav Khullar and Arianna Long - Fridays 1:30pm - 2:30pm in PAB B305

CALM - Conversing about Local Matter – contact: Arpit Arora -  Tuesdays 10am every other week in PAB B305

DIGG  - Diffuse Inter Gas Group - contacts: Bonni Choi, Sam Garza, and Jess Werk Thursdays 1pm - 2pm –- every other week in PAB B305

Capheine - contact: Charlie Willard  - Fridays 11am - 12pm PAB C341 

DUSC – Dark Universe Science Center -  contact: Matt McQuinn, journal club from 2:30-3:30 pm on Wednesdays in 6th floor meeting room of PAB, as well as a ~monthly seminar in PAB C421 at 3pm on Thursdays

Astronomy Journal Club - Fridays 2:30 - 3:30pm, B305 – contact: Scott Anderson (Winter)

Astronomy Department Colloquium - Thursdays 3:30pm - 4pm, cookies at 3pm in PAA 102

Tuesday Lunch Talks - contact: Yakov Faerman - Tuesdays 12pm - 1pm, PAB B305 

Astrobiology 25th Anniversary Lecture Series – contacts: Vikki Meadows and Megan Gialluca - Wednesdays in April, 7pm Kane Hall 120

DiRAC Time Domain Group - contacts: Eric Bellm and James Davenport - Thursdays at 1pm, PAB B356

DiRAC Solar System Group – contact: Mario Juric - Fridays at 1pm, PAB B356

Additional Community Resources

Food Pantry

The UW Food Pantry provides free food and hygiene products to any UW student, staff, or faculty member in need. They accept donations of shelf-stable items and hygiene products from individuals at their Poplar Hall location during opening hours.

Any Hungry Husky Food Pantry

Know Your Rights

Understanding your rights is essential for all community members. These resources provide comprehensive information about individual rights, campus policies, and legal protections.

UW Public Safety Office - Know Your Rights

ACLU Washington - Know Your Rights

Diversity and Inclusion Resources

Resources to support diversity and inclusion efforts in astronomy and STEM fields:

• TEAM-UP Report - Comprehensive report addressing systemic barriers for underrepresented minorities in physics and astronomy
• Black Lives in Astronomy Resource Guide - Extensive resource guide on Black astronomers ranging from blogs and feature articles to historical information
• Astrobites: How to Support Black Astronomers - Practical guidance for supporting Black astronomers in academic and professional settings
• AAS Task Force Report on Diversity and Inclusion (2018) - Recommendations and findings on improving diversity and inclusion in astronomy

Educational Resources

• UW Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring - Professional development workshops, teaching resources, and pedagogical training opportunities
• Leadership Without Borders Undocu Ally Training – This program provides UW faculty and staff with resources and best practices to build a supportive environment for undocumented students.