Testimonials

Quote about your experience with the program and the research you conducted:

I started with BRIEF 2 years ago with the DoubleSTARS research seminar. I knew I would be applying to transfer to a 4-year university and wanted to have research experience before applying to strengthen my application and better prepare myself for future research projects. The research I conducted with the guidance of BRIEF was presented at the winter 2020 American Astronomical Society meeting, which was my first experience presenting at a conference. The following summer I enrolled in the Intro to Photometry and Exoplanets course, where I was exposed to the techniques used in observing transiting exoplanets and the associated data reduction. At the end of this course, I was introduced to the exoplanet watch project at JPL, and was lucky enough to be able to participate. These experiences peaked my interest, and BRIEF funded my participation in the Exoplanet Observing course hosted by the AAVSO, in which I gained more detailed knowledge surrounding the science of exoplanet detection and characterization.

Where are you now since your experience with Boyce-Astro?

With the help of the research experience provided by BRIEF, I was admitted in to all of my top choice universities and research programs. I have since transferred to UC Santa Cruz where I am earning my degree in astrophysics, and am involved in research as part of the LAMAT program at UCSC where I work on new approaches to computationally modeling the interior structure of the gas giant planets. In addition, I have continued working with BRIEF on novel exoplanet research which we hope to get published in the near future. I am currently working on my certification for the TESS follow-up observation program

Quote about your experience with the program and the research you conducted:

My astronomy journey began with Boyce-Astro; I feel so fortunate to have studied under their expert guidance and support. Through the program, I published two papers in the Journal of Double Star Observations and the Society of Astronomical Sciences by the time I graduated high school. Additionally, I was lucky enough to mentor other students of Boyce-Astro, who went on to publish their own papers.

Overall, the program fostered my interest in observational astronomy by providing hands-on research experience, and introduced me to the wider scientific process by accurately simulating scientific writing, publishing, and peer-review procedures. I cannot recommend this program enough— I consider my involvement in Boyce-Astro the beginning of my career!

Where are you now since your experience with Boyce-Astro?

Since my launch with Boyce-Astro, I am currently an undergraduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, majoring in Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science. As an MIT Student, I teach office hours for Calculus courses, and participate in multiple Undergraduate Research Opportunities within my department. This past summer, I completed an internship at NASA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute regarding the surface composition of near-Earth asteroids. I plan to present my findings at multiple upcoming conferences, including the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).

I am an ambassador for the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), which involves planning and participating in various outreach programs for the organization. After earning my bachelors in 2023, I plan to attend graduate school and study for a PhD in Planetary Science or Astrobiology. I consider my ongoing relationship with Boyce-Astro to be one of my most honored privileges to date.

Quote about your experience with the program and the research you conducted:

My astronomy journey began with Boyce-Astro; I feel so fortunate to have studied under their expert guidance and support. Through the program, I published two papers in the Journal of Double Star Observations and the Society of Astronomical Sciences by the time I graduated high school. Additionally, I was lucky enough to mentor other students of Boyce-Astro, who went on to publish their own papers.

Overall, the program fostered my interest in observational astronomy by providing hands-on research experience, and introduced me to the wider scientific process by accurately simulating scientific writing, publishing, and peer-review procedures. I cannot recommend this program enough— I consider my involvement in Boyce-Astro the beginning of my career!

Where are you now since your experience with Boyce-Astro?

Since my launch with Boyce-Astro, I am currently an undergraduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, majoring in Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science. As an MIT Student, I teach office hours for Calculus courses, and participate in multiple Undergraduate Research Opportunities within my department. This past summer, I completed an internship at NASA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute regarding the surface composition of near-Earth asteroids. I plan to present my findings at multiple upcoming conferences, including the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).

I am an ambassador for the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), which involves planning and participating in various outreach programs for the organization. After earning my bachelors in 2023, I plan to attend graduate school and study for a PhD in Planetary Science or Astrobiology. I consider my ongoing relationship with Boyce-Astro to be one of my most honored privileges to date.

Quote about your experience with the program and the research you conducted:

My astronomy journey began with Boyce-Astro; I feel so fortunate to have studied under their expert guidance and support. Through the program, I published two papers in the Journal of Double Star Observations and the Society of Astronomical Sciences by the time I graduated high school. Additionally, I was lucky enough to mentor other students of Boyce-Astro, who went on to publish their own papers.

Overall, the program fostered my interest in observational astronomy by providing hands-on research experience, and introduced me to the wider scientific process by accurately simulating scientific writing, publishing, and peer-review procedures. I cannot recommend this program enough— I consider my involvement in Boyce-Astro the beginning of my career!

Where are you now since your experience with Boyce-Astro?

Since my launch with Boyce-Astro, I am currently an undergraduate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, majoring in Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science. As an MIT Student, I teach office hours for Calculus courses, and participate in multiple Undergraduate Research Opportunities within my department. This past summer, I completed an internship at NASA’s Lunar and Planetary Institute regarding the surface composition of near-Earth asteroids. I plan to present my findings at multiple upcoming conferences, including the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).

I am an ambassador for the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), which involves planning and participating in various outreach programs for the organization. After earning my bachelors in 2023, I plan to attend graduate school and study for a PhD in Planetary Science or Astrobiology. I consider my ongoing relationship with Boyce-Astro to be one of my most honored privileges to date.