My interest in physics was spurred on by a passionate teacher I had in high school. After that course, I went on to take an elective which introduced me to astrophysics, which helped lead me to a physics major. I am most excited about getting to share my research discoveries with others! Physics and astronomy are so interconnected that findings in one area could lead to exciting discoveries in another, and getting to be part of that process is a great passion of mine. I hope to get a Ph.D. and research in a lab in a few years. I hope to mentor others, including young kids, who are excited about space. Eventually, I would like to return to academia to teach and continue research.

I am working on a first-author paper with research that I started over the summer on Type Ia supernovae cosmology! Receiving this award is important to my journey as a physics major, as well as the journey I’m about to take as I transition to post-graduate efforts. This scholarship will lessen the financial burden I would’ve otherwise had, and I no longer will feel held back with making decisions I am passionate about but might not have been able to afford.

Bio information coming soon!

My interests in astrophysics and NASA missions led to my major because I fell in love with all things science. Discovering change-makers like Mae Jemison, I was drawn to the impacts of physics on aerospace engineering concepts.

I plan to pursue an occupation in the aerospace industry. Recently, I have been a participant of the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy program with Arizona State University, finalizing presentation concepts on a team of 14 members. I’ve had the role of mechanical engineer, planetary geologist, and astrophysicist as I designed a sample collection system for a dwarf planet exploration spacecraft/rover mission.

This scholarship is the blessing I was looking for this school year, and I am honored to have been selected as a TEAM-UP Together Scholar. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my bachelor’s degree in physics!

Bio information coming soon!

I always found the subject matter of physics and astronomy to be far more interesting and eye-opening than any other. I am most passionate about space exploration and the utilization of extraterrestrial resources. Advancements in rocket propulsion, new studies on potential habitability of nearby terrestrial bodies, and new technologies introduced to further make space colonization a reality all excite me to a high degree. An exciting project I am currently working on is researching extragalactic astronomy with Dr. Justin Robinson. We are working together to answer a question nobody has been able to answer yet, which I think is really cool.

This scholarship is an incredible opportunity for me to continue pursuing what I love despite recent financial struggles. I look at it as an investment. Using this scholarship, I will one day give much more back to the world. I appreciate the existence of this program because I know a lot of people such as myself who need the help in making their dreams a reality.

Bio information coming soon!

I chose astronomy to expand my knowledge of the universe, and I chose physics to expand my understanding of the universe. I am most passionate about anything that utilizes quantum physics. Quantum physics is already integrated into a broad range of technologies, but the potential of this science is still unbelievably high.

I plan to stay in academia for a little bit to complete a master’s as well as a Ph.D. From then on, I’d like to focus on my personal research and business ventures while utilizing my newly gained knowledge and credentials.

I am currently working on a startup company and its main product, QuantaLeaf Solar Cells, are a revolutionary solar energy technology that take inspiration from the intricate structures of leaves’ photosynthetic systems. By mimicking nature’s own energy conversion processes, QuantaLeaf aims to provide an efficient and environmentally friendly solution for harnessing solar energy.

This scholarship will help greatly help me financially, and I will also have much more time to focus on research.

I always had an interest at a very young age in looking at the stars in the night sky, and I was always curious about what is up there. Astronomy and physics have opened a pathway for me that I thought I would never see. I am most curious about extragalactic high redshift galaxies and implementing machine learning into studying these galaxies. I plan on going to grad school to pursue my Ph.D., and currently I have two papers on the way with one more in the works.

Since my mom is my only benefactor, this scholarship award will allow me to continue my college career without a huge financial burden on the both of us.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Bio information coming soon!

Research opportunities have allowed me to delve deeper into specific subjects, ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them. These opportunities culminated when I was able to present my work at the end of the summer. The most rewarding part has been the chance to work with a team of dedicated individuals, with various levels of education and experience, and meeting other undergraduate researchers.

As a senior, I am looking into graduate schools in the hopes to continue my education and research into astronomy and data analysis. I am particularly drawn to how machine learning and numerical modeling can be used in research. This past summer, I worked as a student researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I worked to characterize and age-date nearby and bright stellar candidates that could host Earth-like planets as precursor science for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory. This was done by analyzing the time-series photometry using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

The funds provided by this scholarship directly address my financial needs, alleviating some of the financial pressure that I currently face. Reducing the financial burden of my studies allows me to focus more on my coursework and research projects.

Bio information coming soon!

I chose physics because I wanted to understand the “why does it happen this way?” question about reality. I think the most exciting part of physics is struggling to figure that out and working with others to figure out the behaviors of the universe. I’m excited about the experiments I can do with my background and watching the results unfold. I plan to go to grad school and continue research in either astrophysics or high-energy physics.

This scholarship means a lot to me because it means someone was paying attention to those who may not be in the spotlight or who are considered the “standard” physics student. It means I can go further to pursue my ultimate goal of being a physicist.

Bio information coming soon!

In second grade, I learned how the universe continued beyond the solar system and I had more and more questions as I learned about space. I’m passionate about finding a future for humanity. I want to bring people from different races and ethnicities together in physics to use our unique perspectives to find a way forward – combating air pollution, understanding the universe, and stabilizing our way of life. I also plan to earn a physics Ph.D.

I have already completed two internships and presented at three conferences. I recently began a project with my university advisor studying the morphology of high redshift galaxies. Receiving this scholarship award is everything to me. I’ve had doubts in my progress in the past, but the TEAM-UP Together scholarship let me know that the journey I’m making and confidence I’m building are noticeable. Pursuing higher education was always my goal, but the financial burden it placed on me and my family was a lot. This scholarship not only lessens that burden but allows me to focus on what I’ve found to be my passion.

I chose to study physics to have a basic understanding of the world around me. Something interesting about me is that I investigated dye-sensitized solar cells using raspberry juice dye this past summer. To me, the TU-T scholarship is an assurance that African American physicists and astronomers belong in the physics and STEM community.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Bio information coming soon!

Physics has always been my passion since I was a kid. I remember looking up planet and space facts for fun while everyone was playing computer games; it’s just always been something special for me.    I would like to do black hole research and white hole theory. I want to get my bachelor’s, then I want to take it a step further so I can get my astrophysics degree.

I’ve worked on phosphoproteins in the MCAC lab at UMBC, and I’ve worked on the SASA program at Morgan State. I also attended the GEM conference last year in Hawaii.

I’m a student from a lower-income neighborhood/household. For a while, after I had to withdraw, plans for higher education seemed like something I would have to leave in the past because I simply did not have the means to support myself and go to school. This scholarship literally gave me hope that this is not over and maybe a little Black girl can achieve her dreams in science.

Krystal Scott is a sophomore physics major with a material science & engineering minor from Inglewood, CA. On campus she is a physics department ambassador who has stayed on the dean's list for her tenure at Hampton.  As an ambassador she has been instrumental in recruiting new physics students at events like High School Day and Honors Day. She is the current president of SPS (the Society of Physics Students) and The .1% two organizations focused on bringing women to the forefront of physics in America but specifically at Hampton. Due to both her academic success and her community engagement Krystal has recently been awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the SPS national committee to support her through her academics without which she would not have been able to continue at Hampton University. Krystal is passionate about bringing her knowledge and expertise to the next generation of scientists. She wants to create a platform that allows underprivileged youth to learn about different STEM fields at a younger age so that they can have the opportunity to pursue broader paths of learning that may not be immediately available to them. She has been recognized by two state assembly persons for her work with underprivileged youth in the South LA area with the coding and STEM programs she runs in the summer with USC and Steamcoders. She has volunteered for the nonprofit organization Black Girls Code since she was 15 in her efforts to expose more black and brown young women to all the STEM field has to offer. She presented research on non-stellarator divertors at the Division of Plasma Physics Conference. She has been invited to dinners with Nobel Prize winners. She presented a collection of physics-based artwork at the Physics Congress conference and was selected to be presented at their national office.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Bio information coming soon!

I always loved math and science and was extremely curious about how we can use mathematical principles to learn more about the world. I am mainly interested how physics helps us advance in energy, health, and education. But what I am most passionate about is how diverse physics is. I have so many opportunities open to me because of this universal science and it’s very exciting. After I receive my bachelor’s degree, I plan on going to graduate school to obtain my Ph.D. in Medical Physics.

This year I went to the APS Annual April Meeting, was able to present on my research, and was awarded as a top presenter! In my experimental nuclear program, we were able to upgrade the Forward Calorimeter detector at Jefferson Lab as well.

This scholarship was super important to me because I am now able to break the barriers that prevented me from pursuing my education to the fullest! It gave me more faith in myself that I can actually get my degree and pursue my dreams.

Hello! My name is Layla Smith, a fellow recipient of the 2022 TEAM-UP Together Scholarship.

I have always been interested in the sciences, specifically astronomy. I decided to major in physics as I would be exposed to various types of science careers. Along with science, I enjoy trying new things such as traveling, trying new foods, going to museums, etc.

I am incredibly grateful and honored to have received this award. It will provide the opportunity for me to be more focused on my studies and research projects under STROBE-PEAQS (Norfolk State University Chapter). My general knowledge will increase as well as my research experiences as an undergraduate.

Thank you, Simons Foundation, and Simons Foundation International!

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Bio information coming soon!

When I learned about the universe in elementary school, one question led to another, and then I started watching space documentaries, movies, and much more. I am a curious person, and I always have more questions regarding the universe – especially because so many are unanswered! I want to go to graduate school and get a Ph.D. in astronomy and then work for NASA and do top level astronomy research!

Recently, I worked on finding stellar parameters of red giants in the old open cluster NGC 7789. I used data from the Gaia space mission to identify various things about the cluster and used various formulas to find parameters such as temperature, luminosity, etc. I then created color magnitude diagrams in Python using Gaia photometry so we could get specific members of the cluster and look at their lithium abundances. In October, these data will be used for a WIYN telescope observing run, to understand why these stars have so much lithium. Receiving this scholarship award will allow me to reach my dreams of becoming an astrophysicist. I am honored to be given this award, and I believe this will help me reach the light at the end of the dark tunnel.

Bio information coming soon!

One day in elementary school my brother brought home books on some of the planets of the solar system. Reading these books sparked my interest in learning more about these planets, our solar system, and other broader topics in astronomy. I chose to be an astrophysics major to continue learning about celestial bodies and to understand the physics behind their existence.

I am most passionate about planets and understanding how they form. I plan to apply to graduate school to continue my education and use my degree to conduct research on planets within and outside our solar system. At my university I am creating magnetohydrodynamical simulations of protoplanetary disks and comparing them to ALMA observations.

Receiving this scholarship is impactful because it helps my family and me with the financial burden of my education. Receiving this scholarship also makes me proud of pursuing an astrophysics degree.

My research interests lie in using computational methods to solve problems in nuclear physics. I find the interdisciplinary nature of physics compelling, combining my interests in science and technology with real-world applications.     

One of my proudest accomplishments has been involvement in a computational stellarator design project this past summer. In this project, I utilized advanced optimization algorithms to improve the design of a stellarator’s complex 3D magnetic field configuration to find an optimized shape that could confine the plasma efficiently for longer periods of time. Seeing how physics, mathematics, and computation complement each other in scientific discovery reaffirmed my passion for building a career as a physicist.           

This scholarship will provide crucial financial support as I look ahead to graduate studies and allow me to focus more time on my research projects and senior thesis, rather than balancing work hours. After graduate school, I hope to help increase access and diversity in physics education and research. This scholarship represents an investment in a more diverse future STEM workforce and inspires me daily to realize my potential and open doors for others.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Bio information coming soon!

Bio information coming soon!

My interest in physics started my junior year of high school when I was allowed to do an internship at the physics lab of Jackson State University. I chose to major in physics because of the variety of things I can study with it, with many different career paths and research opportunities. I plan to attend graduate school while working as a teaching assistant. I plan to then get a job with the government and do research in a lab.

The most recent REU I completed was in Washington, D.C., at the Catholic University of America. This research allowed me to be around my peers and work on something I felt passionate about. I also learned many things about magnetization that I will be able to apply in my classes.

Receiving this scholarship was important to me because it allowed me to be stress-free while in college. Typically my parents would have to pay out of pocket, but by knowing this semester they do not have to do so, I can focus on doing my best in school. This scholarship will have a lot of impact on my college year, because it makes me want more rather than settling for less.

Since I was a kid, I have been intrigued by the weather, and I used to self-study meteorology with NOAA’s JetStream educational website. I built weather station instruments from scratch with household materials, including the anemometer, wind vane, and barometer. As I grew older, I started to code the instruments with Arduino and digital sensors like the BMP280 pressure sensor and a 3D-printed rain gauge I made in high school. As an extension of my fascination with meteorological instruments, I grew to love astronomy instruments. During high school, I followed the Radio JOVE community and researched how to build a radio telescope from scratch.

For the past four years, I have been studying masers near high mass star-forming regions and their roles in tracing star formation processes such as accretion and outflows with Dr. Adam Ginsburg. I have really enjoyed developing code to fit Gaussians to measure masers and making connections with the data I have to real astrophysical phenomenon.

Currently, my main goal is to get into graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Learning about physics in high school when I first took AP physics was what really got me interested in the pursing this major in college. I ended up choosing a physics major because I knew it would help me reach my goal of becoming an experimental scientist, and I am most passionate about materials science, experimental condensed matter physics, and crystallography. I hope to begin a Ph.D. program in experimental condensed matter physics next year and eventually work as a research scientist.

I am currently spearheading the revitalization of our second MBE chamber in the UNF physics department's molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) laboratory. Over the last three months, I've been learning how to put together a vacuum chamber of this complexity.

Receiving this scholarship award is impactful to me because I know it will allow me to continue focusing on my studies and pursue this field of science without the stress of the financial burden bogging down my chances of learning everything that I can, becoming proficient in physics, and reaching the goals I've set for myself.

Something about learning and studying the unknown has always piqued my interest, specifically in the fields of cosmology, stellar astrophysics, and a bit of particle physics. I’ve always been interested in learning more about dark matter/dark energy, black holes, and pulsars. The ultimate goal I have is to work at NASA not only as an astrophysicist but also as a software engineer/programmer.  

I recently completed an internship at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, where I worked on star formation history/galaxy simulations to be used for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launching in 2026. I extracted and created the simulations of star formation history spectra from some stellar libraries, where I used Linux coding and Python coding to create galaxy scenes that could then be used as an input to create the GRISM, which is basically the light dispersed output from the Roman telescope.

I’m very honored and grateful that I was chosen to receive this scholarship. It will help fund my education, as well as help fund my journey toward the career I want to achieve. I want to thank the TEAM-UP Scholarship committee for helping me pursue my passion for astronomy and astrophysics.

Nijai Dixon is a fourth-year student at Clark Atlanta University and a participant in the dual degree engineering program majoring in civil engineering and physics. At Clark Atlanta University, she serves as vice president of both the Physics Club and NSBE organization. She has an interest in learning more about water scarcity and water quality issues and has experience doing grassroots organizing work to bring clean water to her home state of New Jersey. This previous experience has fueled her to continue her efforts for her campus and community in the metro-Atlanta area through environmental leadership initiatives. Nijai's goal is to work in sustainable design and architecture and alternative renewable energy to provide better housing for lower income and minority communities. She also has an interest in environmental law and public policy. Nijai is an advocate working towards creating a cleaner and safer environment globally through policy modification and community empowerment.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

In eighth grade, I started learning about space and my eyes were lit up with the passion of science. The pursuit of discovery is where that passion burns the brightest. Most of all, learning how systems and the universe work scratches this itch about what I want to understand. I hope to work at an active company or organization such as Space X, NASA, or any other group pioneering change in space explorations and physics. I have been hired by my astronomy professor to assist with data analysis of RR Lyrae stars and galaxy clusters. In doing this, I have visited telescopes at the McDonald Observatory as well as AAS meetings. I have also presented at TAS and AAS meetings and am still doing this research.

Being recognized for my passion and work ethic shows me I’m on the path to success. Not only does it take financial burden off me, but it also gives me more exposure and opportunity. I chose this career for a reason – even if I start out making $20,000/year it wouldn’t matter to me, because I love the science of physics and astronomy and will more content and happy doing something that I care about.

I always found physics to be an extremely fascinating science because of its fundamental nature and ability to explain diverse phenomena across various length scales. In high school, I opted to enroll in an intensive three-year program with a physics and math concentration, and once in college, I decided to continue with the academic path I had started.

I find theoretical physics in general absolutely fascinating, particularly the development of seemingly simple mathematical models to explain complex phenomena. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in theoretical climate physics or theoretical climate systems-related physics fields. I am currently working on exploring the effects of obstacles (free degrees of freedom in the form of pins) on phases transitions in 2D disordered granular systems using computational methods, specifically molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning.

The TEAM-UP Together award represents a significant step toward accomplishing my academic dream as it alleviates a lot of financial burden from me and my family and permits me to dedicate myself to personal and intellectual growth as an aspiring physicist.

I am most passionate about applying the numerous aspects of physics to real-life problems, specifically climate change and earth sustainability, or what we can do to preserve Earth for the future. My future plans include receiving a bachelor’s in physics at my current university, learning what aspect of physics I want to focus on, and attending graduate school focusing on my specialty. In the summer of 2023 I had the opportunity to travel to Brookhaven National Laboratory and learn about and from the sPHENIX detector. The detector collides heavy ions to study the quark-gluon plasma. Being at a national laboratory was very insightful and eye-opening regarding what life after college can be.

Receiving this scholarship award has encouraged me to continue actively pursuing physics. My mind is my greatest enemy and tricks me into believing things that are not true. This scholarship award shows me that I am valuable even when my mind disagrees. I will not take this scholarship award for granted but instead will use it to positively impact the physics community.

Physics describes reality in a concrete way that can be used to analyze a variety of systems with a few techniques. I love the physics of material properties and I want to study materials to improve the efficiency of existing technologies. I plan to apply for graduate programs in condensed matter physics after my undergraduate degree.

I recently conducted research at Imperial College London in the Experimental Solid State Physics department on nanoscale magnetism for neurotrophic computing. It was a short summer project where I ran simulations which laid the groundwork for future experiments to develop the capacity for memory in artificial neural networks. Throughout my sophomore year, I learned optical techniques in MIT’s Materials Research Lab to study structural vibrations in crystal solids.            

For people living at the intersection of Black, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ identities, academic institutions usually fail to meet our needs and support us as students. Having financial support through this scholarship makes me feel like going through with my higher education is worth it.

From a young age, I was able to read various books on astronomy and space and I also enjoyed a lot of movies about space such as Star Wars. This helped spark an interest in physics. I want to help discover new planets and solar systems and possibly work at an observatory. My plan is to get my master’s and Ph.D. in either astronomy or astrophysics and pursue a job at either a government lab or an observatory.

Currently, I have completed two internships at Brandeis University, both of them working on bio-physics projects. In my department, I have completed optics research using laser spectroscopy to characterize rare earth-doped crystals for military applications.

This award was impactful for me due to the heavy financial burden placed on my single mom. She has helped me so much in all aspects of life. Thanks to God and this scholarship I was able to be financially cleared multiple years in a row to continue my education and rise up.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

I chose to be a physics major because I want to be an innovator. With a good enough understanding of how the world works, I’ll be able to manipulate the laws of physics to benefit society. I used to be a space physics major, but I changed my major to engineering physics because I will get the best of both worlds with this degree: the skill sets for both theoretical and experimental physics.

I am most passionate about solar winds. I want to study the ionosphere and magnetosphere, with a main focus on solar winds, and I want to create solar wind-resistant technology. I plan to do an internship at a satellite company or laboratory; I have my eyes set on SAIL (Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Laboratory). After a move, I was able to secure a job as a Fleet Attendant at Starship Technologies.

This scholarship award allowed me to become a full-time student again, lessening my financial burdens and giving me hope. I am truly grateful for being selected as a recipient of this award because without it, it would be difficult for me to continue my education.

I became a physics major because I knew I wanted to go into a genre of engineering in graduate school. Now I want to go into environmental engineering, to aid in solving the climate crisis. Even though I am going to get a Ph.D. in environmental engineering, I am passionate about physics because it is so challenging, which means I’ll never get bored of the subject. I know the fact that physics is challenging turns people away, but it pushes me to try harder and overcome said challenges. I would also like to become a professional engineer and certified architect, and I hope to be able to mesh my environmental engineering knowledge with architecture.

I became a board member for my college’s French Committee, and the director of communications for the Black Student Association. This scholarship is impactful for me because it will allow me to focus on completing my physics degree and my extracurriculars, and focus immensely less on how get by financially each term.

I’m passionate about the intersection between quantum mechanics and computation, such as developing or refining approximation methods used to predict the properties of quantum materials, and encouraging software development practices that improve reproducibility. Once I graduate, I plan to pursue a physics Ph.D. with a focus on either computational materials science or quantum information science. I then plan to work as a research scientist in industry, hopefully leading my own research team that develops computational tools for studying quantum materials.

Currently, my mentor and I are in the writing stage of my first paper, where I will be the first author, for my research on the new class of 2D superatomic crystals. A chemical understanding of these structures is complicated. I, with my mentor, developed a method that localizes Wannier functions to the superatoms with the aim of improving our understanding of their interactions within this material.

This scholarship award provides me, a nontraditional, first-generation student, with the resources I need to successfully navigate the graduate school application process. This financial support lets me focus even more on my courses and presenting at conferences. I am deeply appreciative of the impact this support will have on my journey and am sincerely grateful.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Growing up with ADHD made it very hard for me to pay attention to most subjects, because I felt they were trivial and uninteresting. Once I took my first physics class, I found myself enveloped in the subject and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Quantum mechanics is the most interesting subject to me because of how complex and varied the subject is. I plan on pursuing a career where I can use computers to solve some of the world’s problems or help in creating cutting-edge technology to positively change everyone’s life.

I have kept a 3.0 GPA while juggling school, work, and a family. I’m proud of my work ethic and that is my biggest accomplishment. This scholarship will allow me to put school first for the first time in my academic career. I’ve always had to put my livelihood first and that made it difficult to focus on exams and assignments when life was going on around me. This scholarship will allow me to put my 100% all into my studies.

In the summer of 2021, I participated in a REU program at Brandeis University that allowed me to work with Reto Trappitsch, a lead investigator working on stardust. We decided to build an affordable, reflective-light microscope that would allow us to map stardust grain mounts automatically. I also participated in the REU program at the University of Texas at Austin. My project was to characterize LEDs as a function of emission angle and test the sensing system. At Hampton University, I work in Dr. Uwe Hommerich’s lab, analyzing energy spectrums of doped and undoped crystals and glasses. My goal is to do cutting-edge theoretical physics research to solve the puzzles of general relativity, quantum mechanics, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy. To do so, I plan to receive a Ph.D. in astrophysics.

Receiving the TEAM-UP Together scholarship provided invaluable financial support during my college journey, allowing me to focus more on my academic pursuits and personal growth. Additionally, a scholarship affords me the flexibility to explore various educational opportunities, such as internships and conferences. I believe the TEAM-UP Together scholarship program is making a great investment in me.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

In astronomy, my deepest passion is in the exploration of the unknown. Specifically, I am extremely interested in the nature of black holes.

I am currently working under postdoc Nika Jurlin on a project that seeks to examine how AGN (Active Galactic Nuclei) influence their host galaxies during different stages of their lives – specifically, when the jets that create radio emissions turn off and on. Over the summer I was tasked with reducing the spectra from the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) to investigate the remnant radio candidates detected in the Lockman Hole. And I am currently in the process of analyzing the data using Python coding! It is by far one of the coolest projects I have worked on, and I am so grateful for the opportunity given to me by my principal investigator Dr. Danielle Berg and my mentor Dr. Nika Jurlin.

As a first-generation college student from a low-income background, I lacked the resources to access mental health support or focus fully on my studies. This scholarship will enable me to prioritize my mental well-being, excel academically, and avoid excessive student loans.

I have always been fascinated with space and how things work. Even back when I was a kid I always felt la sense of wonder for space. That fascination has led me to become a physics major with plans to become an astrophysicist. I am currently doing work for Virginia Union University looking at gain studies and I’m also vice president of our physics club. This scholarship will help me tremendously in taking the next steps to achieve my goals and is an extreme honor and blessing for me.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

My interest in engineering physics started with wanting to know more about the natural occurrences within physics in nature, and how they could be applied to things we have created as humans. I am most passionate about the data that could be collected from an actual occurrence in a physical reaction. I intend to become a physics test consultant working with clients, helping them to combine their data and analytics to find solutions within the given section of physics. I am currently working on applying for internships and completing my physics courses at Morgan State. I am excited to be working in a physics lab soon.

Receiving this scholarship award is important to me because it has lifted the burden of worrying about my financial well-being during my time in college. It has given me the chance to fully devote my time to my studies and my pursuit of success.

I acquired an interest in space in high school and would watch videos about many interesting topics in astronomy. When I worked at NASA, I got to talk with astrophysicists about their career and it convinced me to choose this as my major. Quantum optics is my favorite field in optics and brings it to an advanced level of application in quantum technology. I want to enter the industry as an optical scientist/engineer and get a master’s or Ph.D. in optics.  

In the summer of 2022, I worked at Caltech as a LIGO intern with the experimental physics group on mitigating thermal losses in gravitational wave detectors.

Pursuing a degree in astronomy has been a lifelong dream, but it requires financial resources to realize. This scholarship provides me with the financial relief I need to focus on my studies and put my 100% into doing my best without worrying about working to earn living expenses.

I am most passionate about deciphering and understanding the nature of dark energy. For something that makes up such a large portion of the universe (~96%!)), we know very little about it. I currently have been looking at graduate schools and post-baccalaureate programs that I (hopefully) may be able to attain, so that I am able to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics.

Over the summer I had the privilege of interning at the Flatiron Institute’s Computational Astrophysics department. My research was about understanding the cosmos and how other large-scale structures within the universe (such as the cosmic web) are impacted by varying amounts of dark matter, dark energy, baryonic matter, etc.

Receiving this scholarship allowed me to pay my tuition for the upcoming spring semester and to finish my final year at Bowdoin. This award also allowed for me to stop working my campus job for this fall semester and focus on graduate school applications. I truly cannot thank the donors, members of AIP, TEAM-UP, NSF, and NSBP enough.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

Bio information coming soon!

I’ve always loved my science and math classes in school, but I never liked writing or English classes – so becoming a physics major was definitely the best choice for me. What I’m most passionate about in physics are the discoveries of new star systems and planets in the observable universe.

For now, I plan to earn my graduate degree in astrophysics after I serve as an officer in the Army. Afterward, I want to apply to the Astronaut Selection Program. Something cool I did over the summer was a study abroad in Switzerland at CERN. I attended the Summer Student Lecture program and even helped with the ALICE experiment at the LHC.

This scholarship has really helped me through my final year of college and has enabled me to focus fully on my studies.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

I want to be the CEO of a tech company, which requires me to attain a degree in physics. I am most interested in electricity and magnetism, and I am planning to go into the workforce after I graduate. I will then start a business after a few years working. Right now, I am currently working on creating 2D materials and testing their conductivity. Receiving this scholarship will help me attain my goals and pay for school.

I love how physics can be used in every aspect of life, and it’s always there when you look for it. One of the things I’m very interested in is making physics more exciting and accessible. By making some difficult topics seem more appealing and engaging, we might be able to get more people interested in pursuing physics and STEM in the future, and it’s not impossible to think that those people might change the world someday. I plan on going to grad school to get a doctorate in physics and/or physics education, and I would love to become a professor and researcher someday. I’m currently working on developing online materials for courses at universities like Duke, as welling as planning an interactive experiment that plans to use digital media to make physics education more accessible.

This scholarship award allows me to continue pursuing my education while alleviating a lot of the burden of financial concerns, and it connected me with a community of passionate students and researchers that all have the goal of making the world better through physics and astronomy.

Since I was a kid, I’d always loved the stars. When I found out there was a career focused on them, I was ecstatic. I’m passionate about my current research: I study X-ray sources in nearby galaxies. I hope to earn a Ph.D. and do my own research or work for an observatory.

I earned the Mogge Scholarship for this academic year for my academics and research. I'm still doing research, which I’ve now been working on for a year. Throughout it, I’ve been able to make many Python scripts to automate the process and produce results throughout my time so far. This award is impactful because I greatly need the financial help. Renting in California, school, and other expenses are very expensive, so the scholarship award helps me get on my feet.

I’ve always liked space, but what made me decide to major in astronomy was a research project my freshman year. I learned I really liked conducting astronomy research. I’ve since participated in other research projects covering other fields in astronomy, and each of these opportunities further cemented my interest in the field. I am most passionate in research regarding metallicity, galactic and extragalactic research in astronomy. After obtaining my B.S. in astronomy/astrophysics, I want to get a Ph.D. in astronomy, then a career that mainly consists of conducting astronomy research.

This past summer I had the opportunity to be a part of the Astronomy REU program at the Maria Mitchell Association. My research involved analyzing X-ray flares with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory from the supermassive black hole at the center of the Andromeda galaxy (M31*). Currently, I’m working on a research project involving developing selection methods for low metallicity using data from Gaia and GALEX.

This scholarship is providing financial stability to continue on my track in astronomy. With this scholarship, I am guaranteed support to continue living on campus which helps me take charge of the opportunities in astronomy that require on-campus engagement.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

I love extragalactic astrophysics, since it studies the universe at a large scale. The juxtaposition of quantum mechanical processes (emission lines, for example) with relativistic ones (redshift) and other such means by which physics manifests itself, despite having contradictory theories, fascinates me. Breaking down my reality into fundamental understandings has kept me endlessly engaged with trying to learn more.

My goal is to do post-graduate studies in Japan, making use of my multicultural background and Japanese Language minor to conduct research in astrophysics abroad. I would like to bridge connections between scientists alongside being at the forefront of research. I aim to have a Ph.D. in astrophysics and be part of a research team or lead my own.

I’ve been privileged to see some of the earliest galaxies via UA’s JWST data access in 2022. (I am a JADES member who conducted a transient search in Dr. Eiichi Egami’s group.) I have also conducted research at UW-Madison via an REU where I was introduced to galaxy evolution and studying spectra via coding.

As I child I had questions nobody in my family could answer. I assumed physics would lead me to some sort of answer, or at least an interesting way of looking at the universe. I completed a high school summer internship at Yale which led me to become obsessed with learning how everything worked!

I am most passionate about black holes and the knowledge that we can gain from studying them intensely. In the next year, I hope to achieve a DPhil in Theoretical Physics. Along with research, I hope to help advance the number of black physicists by being a mentor for younger students.

Currently, I am the president of the Sarah Lawrence College’s Society of Physics Students and the co-chair of the STEMminist Society, a group dedicated to the professional and personal development of underrepresented minorities in STEM.

The TEAM-Up Scholarship award will allow me to afford necessities for school, as well as plan for the future as I enter higher education.

I chose to major in physics because I love to understand how things work, and the only logical conclusion from there was trying to understand the universe. I’m most fascinated by quantum information science and black holes, and I am currently applying to graduate schools.  

Right now I am working on the development of a high altitude system to generate a global scale dataset of weather patterns. Receiving this scholarship will help lighten the burden of school costs. Deriving from that, this will allow me to focus more of my time on my work in schools as well as research and internships that I am participating in throughout my senior year.

I was always in love with how bright the night sky could be. I began to wonder truly what those stars were. That curiosity opened the door to the world of astrophysics and is why I must answer my growing list of questions for the universe by studying such a vast subject. The topic that makes my heart skip a beat is the distant galaxies.

I had the honor of working alongside a professor and their research assistants my sophomore year. I had the opportunity to delve into theoretical practices of astrophysics and gained knowledge in the intricacies of charged coupled devices image processing. This led to working with computer programs and coding, which gave me great experience. I would love to find an internship as a research assistant.

Receiving this scholarship award truly gives me a reignited hope in myself. I never knew how heavy a financial burden could weigh on a person until I experienced it, and now I can say I know how it feels to have people believe in me. This has impacted my life greatly and I am more motivated to charge ahead and pursue my academic goals.

I am currently a physical science major pursuing the career goal of doing research in the field of astrophysics. I have experience in doing research in the field of nuclear astrophysics and I love it, because even within nuclear astrophysics, there are different elements to look at. My future plan is a Ph.D. in astronomy/astrophysics.

I recently participated in an REU at Texas A&M University in College Station. My project was to build a C++ code from scratch that calculates the Breit-Wigner cross section for any two interacting particles over an energy range chosen by the user. The goal of the project was to provide my advisor with a program that would allow him to compare theoretical cross sections to actual cross sections with and without the assumptions commonly made in nuclear astrophysics research.

This scholarship award is important to me because for the past four years, I’ve had to maintain a job on and off to pay for expenses while being a full-time student. Being awarded this scholarship is allowing me to not work my last year of being an undergraduate student and finish the year strong. This scholarship has relieved so much financial stress for me for this last academic year.

I chose physics because it is challenging and interesting, and it sparked my curiosity. I’m most interested in concepts of time and thermodynamics right now! I have also been doing some robophysics and have enjoyed it! After undergrad, I want to get a Ph.D.

I’ve been working in a robophysics lab studying the motility of algae. We create cool robots that replicate the movement and conditions of biological algae and study the results.

Receiving this award was extremely exciting and validating. It is helping me to pay for school and helped renew my sense of belonging in this field.

For as long as I can remember I have driven everyone insane with my intensely inquisitive nature. My family knew I was destined to be a scientist, so, when I was 5 my parents got me a 12-dollar, 180-degree constellation light projector, I remember laying down and looking into the stars and feeling safe. That was my introduction to a field I would grow to love, astrophysics. This summer it came full circle. I had the opportunity to research under Adam Miller at Northwestern and was able to come up with an improved throughput model of transmission for ZTF. Being awarded this scholarship will not only continue to facilitate my academic career, but also allow me to break society's limitations on Black women in STEM and encourage diversity in a highly underrepresented field.

*TEAM-UP Together Scholarship Recipient in 2022 and 2023

My high school physics/chemistry teacher ignited my interest in physics, introducing me to the vast world that physicists explain with such detail that even the smallest of phenomena are intriguing. That, in addition to different educational shows such as Mythbusters and How the Universe Works, sparked my interest in the field. I am most passionate about space-related physics such as heliophysics and plasma physics, but other parts of astrophysics are also of interest. In the future I plan to enter a theoretical research field, most likely to work in researching solar physics phenomena in addition to studying star-based physics phenomena. Currently I am working on completing my physics degree, which will lead to graduate school, studying classical and statistical mechanics. I have also recently completed an internship studying heliophysics and coronal mass ejections at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

This scholarship plays an essential part in funding my future education, helping to provide the resources for me to study more specialized physics areas, in addition to working at more well-known physics-oriented institutions.       

Astronomy has given me clarity and tranquility in its infinite options and dynamic behavior. With each planet being unique, I am motivated to think about worlds where it may rain glass or there are oceans of molten lava. I am currently studying terrestrial worlds in the habitable zone of their red dwarf hosts, looking at how orbital changes influence the presence of water on their surface or in their atmosphere. Receiving the TU-T Scholarship has given me the courage and resources to continue toward my goal of making a positive change in astronomy.

From a young age, I became enamored with how humans were able to solve complex problems through science. In high school, I expressed this love by taking more science courses than necessary. As I took courses in physics, chemistry, and calculus, I became passionate about nuclear and particle physics. In the future, I hope to pursue a PhD in nuclear engineering with the goal to develop nuclear fusion reactors. Despite the struggles I have encountered, I have stayed determined to achieve my dream. The TEAM-UP together scholarship has provided me with the resources to continue my journey towards this goal.

Studying the universe is a powerful experience because it challenges our understanding of what we understand to be normal and weird. While scary and fascinating all at once the feeling of finding something new about the universe is energizing for me. Currently I do research with a supportive research group at the American Museum of Natural History where I study objects that could pass within our solar system within 15 million years. This scholarship allows me to complete my studies at Columbia. I'm excited to see where I go next. A fun fact about me is I enjoy fencing!

I chose to study astrophysics because I was interested in both astronomy and physics. I was amazed that we are able to apply so many laws of physics that are applicable here on Earth to space and wanted to learn more. The TEAM-UP Scholarship will provide me with the opportunity to continue to study what I’m interested in pursuing as a career. I hope to earn my PhD in physics and give back to young Black physicists who are hoping to pursue physics as a career just like me. The TEAM-UP scholarship gets me one step closer to accomplishing this goal and serving as both representation and a helping hand for young Black physicists.

I have been fascinated with the universe and its mysteries for as long as I can remember. I love learning new things and understanding how the world works around me. Once I realized I could make this a career, I jumped at the opportunity to study astrophysics for my undergraduate degree. I have since gained experience researching supermassive black holes and Active Galactic Nuclei, and I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in physics after undergrad. An interesting fact about me is that I would also like to become an astronaut one day! Words cannot express how thankful I am for the TEAM-UP Together Scholarship, as it will support me in continuing to pursue my passion for astrophysics.

My name is Mark Ddamulira, and I chose physics because it helps us better understand our world, thereby deriving multidisciplinary applications from employing physics principles.

Like Einstein, I am a violinist and the concertmaster for my university's orchestra. What's interesting about a current research project is that we are always learning something new since it's computational.

The TEAM-UP Together scholarship gives me strength in knowing that there' are supportive people invested in my future, and it gives me the inspiration to do and be the best that I can while also challenging me to be intentional about supporting others and giving back.

I fell in love with physics and astronomy when I was six years old, and I have never looked back since. I have worked on research related to galaxies, variables stars, and soft matter. I also love music and enjoy playing the violin and piano when I can. The TEAM-UP Together scholarship provides a sense of belief and support for those who are Black, nontraditional, struggling, and who don’t fit into the narrative in this field. This translates to gratitude, understanding, and the confidence of knowing that there are people out there who believe in us more than we know.

My name is Courtney Reed, and I’m a junior studying physics and astronomy at Amherst College. As a child, I recall being fascinated by the endless night sky, and it was this desire to uncover the unknown that hooked me into physics and astronomy. Research-wise, I’m currently using cosmological simulations to study the theoretical formation of very dim and extended low-mass galaxies. It means so much to me that this scholarship will continue to support my fellow Black future physicists and astronomers and break down some of the financial barriers put in place to keep us from pursuing higher education.

I have always had a fascination with the universe and how it came to be. It's pretty wild to think about. I am currently researching under Dr. Bovill (TCU, Astrophysics) to understand star formation within the earliest fossils of the first galaxies. In our research, we look for the mass cutoff required for a galaxy to accrete gas reionization and look at the star formations. In my free time, I enjoy reading novels and watching every possible Marvel series/movie. By receiving this scholarship, I have a huge relief off my shoulders and can focus and pursue my bachelor's degree stress-free.

I attend the University of Colorado, Boulder pursuing a bachelor's degree in physics. I am very passionate about physics. I love math and connecting it with theory and real work applications. I love learning about how and why the world works the way it does. It is truly fascinating and inspiring to learn about processes that we can’t always see or feel but are intrinsic to the physical world. I am currently working in two research groups, one in high-energy physics researching a new method for investigating rare light meson decays with the CMS collaboration at CERN. The other is in nuclear theory investigating two-body decays with machine learning and neural networks. In both I have been able to learn and develop computational skills, which has been at times challenging, but in the end extremely rewarding. I love solving problems that take time, careful thought, and consideration to find the answer. I will be graduating in the spring of 2023 and the TEAM-UP Together scholarship has alleviated much of my financial stress with finishing my degree. I am also currently applying to graduate school, and the application fees can be very expensive. This scholarship will allow me to dream big and apply to all the schools I want to without financial constraints. Additionally, this scholarship has provided me with the mental and emotional support that I have lacked as an African-American woman in physics. This scholarship has shown me that I am a part of a larger community that acknowledges and supports who I am and what I am trying to achieve -- a community that invests in me and my future. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the honor of this award. My thanks, truly, cannot be overstated.

The reason why I chose this degree was because math and science were always my strongest subjects. I always loved real world applications and physics had the most in common with that. I'm not currently working or researching anything, but I was for the last few years with my professor Dr. K. I was on the back end helping with the data analysis part. I was fortunate enough to go visit the lab my junior year and it was a great experience. The TEAM-UP scholarship has meant the world to me. There aren't many organizations that are trying to give out scholarships in STEM, especially in physics. To this organization I am forever grateful for the financial support you have given me. 

My name is Destiny Howell and I am honored to be the recipient of the TEAM-UP Scholarship. I am a senior at Hunter College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics with a present GPA of 3.3. I am on Hunter College Academic Honors called the Jenny Hunter Scholar due to having a 3.5 GPA from Beacon High School. I receive this scholarship every semester for this academic achievement. I have found interest in astronomy ever since I read a book called The Universe by Seymour Simon. That is where my love for science began. While attending school, I have been involved with AstroCom, AstroCom is an astrophysics program that gives minority students from throughout the CUNY school system the opportunity to read scientific research papers, visit labs, attend lectures, and run experiments. Because of AstroCom, I was able to gain research experiences at the Center for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron Institute. Over the past two summers, I worked with scientists on research about gravitational waves and binary black holes. Currently, my goal is to graduate from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s in physics and then attend an excellent Ph.D tracking program for astrophysics. Once I earn a Ph.D, I hope to work in the space industry. The TEAM-UP Scholarships means so much to me because I am able to attend Hunter College and I am so much closer to reaching my goals.

I’ve always been captivated by the dark blanket of stars above us. I’ve struggled with college in the past, unable to find a major that spoke to me, but now I’ve found my place at Arizona State and the Astronomical & Planetary Sciences program. An interesting fact about me is that I consider myself a rookie astrophotographer. I have pictures of the Moon during an eclipse and with not-so-little Jupiter hanging close by. I plan on using this scholarship to further my education, earn my degree, and gather the tools I need to take my astrophotography to the next level.

Nayda Anjou is a third-year student at Michigan State University majoring in Astrophysics with a minor in Spanish. Her interest in astronomy was sparked when she attended a field trip to the local planetarium as an elementary age child. The experience would stay with her throughout her life and would eventually lead to her becoming a presenter at that same planetarium. Anjou also holds a student outreach position at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and has served as an executive board member for the Astronomy Club since her freshman year. She plans on using the TEAM-UP Together scholarship to assist her in affording the materials and resources needed to be a successful student

“Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can think.”
- Werner Heisenberg.

Ever since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by space. TED talks, space conferences and telescope nights furthered my passion for the unknown around our planet. When I was 15, I went to my first space talk about the chemistry and physics of black holes, which drove me to pursue a degree in Astrobiology and Biogeosciences. With this degree, I aspire to work with government and civilian space agencies in order to keep space exploration efficient and safe for both humans and the environments we interact with. The TEAM-UP Together Scholarship allows me to further my education at a world-renowned university where I will continue to make connections in the industry I am passionate about.