Mariah Jones

I’ve felt drawn toward astronomy for as long as I can remember. In high school, physics was the first science that challenged me and required much of my time, attention, and concentration; I quickly fell in love with the topic.

My drive is fueled by my desire to answer some of the many questions surrounding the cosmos. I’ve been contemplating taking an extra semester at Vassar; after finishing up in fall 2025, I plan to spend the following months abroad. Ideally, I would be researching somewhere in France, utilizing my concentration and professional speaking proficiency of the language to acquaint myself with French society. After gaining this additional research experience, I plan to attend graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics. I would also love to continue acting, performing, and making music while pursuing my research.

I’m excited to announce that I’m working on a publication focusing on my summer research project conducted at the SETI Institute, focusing on investigating the stability of trojan and horseshoe co-orbitals in extrasolar multi-planet systems. The paper will be submitted for review to the MNRAS journal in the upcoming weeks. TEAM-UP Together means so much more than just financial support—it’s a vote of confidence and encouragement in my journey, fueling my passion to make a lasting impact in the field. I’m excited to contribute to a future where the faces in physics and astronomy reflect the diversity of the universe itself!