Year: 2025

Meet the DiRAC Team: A Look at the Scientists Shaping the Future of Astronomy

Posted on | by Nikolina Horvat

At DiRAC Institute, we are fortunate to have a talented group of astronomers whose work is expanding our understanding of the universe. From exploring the outer solar system and developing algorithms for asteroid impact prevention to advocating for cleaner skies and advancing the search for asteroids, their research is making significant contributions to the field of astronomy. We’re excited to share a glimpse into their work and the unique projects they’re leading, brought to you by the dedicated team of journalists from the UW News Lab: Amelia Kim, Dany Villarreal, Cassie Diamond, Pei Xu and Cameron Delfin.

Here are a few profiles of our researchers, showcasing their areas of expertise and contributions to the field.

Click on the links to read their stories.

Sarah Greenstreet’s Journey in Making New Discoveries with the Rubin Observatory

Joachim Moeyens: UW Researcher’s Algorithm Enables Asteroid Impact Prevention

Astronomer Ari Heinze and the Search for Asteroids

Meredith L. Rawls: Research Scientist for Vera C. Rubin Observatory Fighting for Cleaner Skies

Pedro Bernardinelli Explores the Outer Solar System at the Rubin Observatory in Search of New Discoveries

  • Sarah Greenstreet, DiRAC Astronomer
    Sarah Greenstreet
  • Joachim Moeyens
  • Pedro Bernardinelli
  • Meredith Rawls
  • Aren Heinze

Supporting the 2025 Summer Research Prize

Posted on | by James Davenport
Prof James Davenport (center) discusses unusual stars with the 2022 cohort of Summer Research Prize winners.

Since 2022, DiRAC and the UW Department of Astronomy has supported undergraduate research through awards of the annual Summer Research Prize. I’m so proud that we’ve been able to support 12 upcoming scholars, whose work has been featured in publications, have gone on to graduate studies, and have been recognized with other awards!

This year we’re hoping to have our biggest cohort of Summer Research Prize scholars yet, thanks to a partnership with the LINCC Frameworks team this year! It’s a thrilling time for astronomy at UW. We eagerly await the first data from Rubin Observatory this summer, missions like JWST and TESS continue to drive discoveries, and advances in AI and ML are allowing our students to ask even bolder questions about the Universe.

I am so grateful for the support our community has shown these student scholars. The Summer Research Prize has been enabled through the foundational gifts of David Brooks and Jeff Glickman, the DiRAC Board, Faculty at the UW, and a wide group of supporters in the Pacific Northwest and beyond!

This year I’m asking you once again to join us in empowering our students to pursue their research. Your donations of support can be the catalyst that launches a career, often making the difference for a student to stay in Seattle and work alongside faculty and graduate students, which pushes their research towards publication and conference presentations.

Go to our Make a Gift page between March 18 and April 11, 2025 to pledge your support for student astronomy research at the University of Washington, and help the next generation of astronomers discover the universe through data-intensive discovery!