Image taken by Dani Sierra at the NIC XVIII Symposium
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Sierra Casten
she/her
PhD Candidate at Michigan State University - Go Green!
Hello, I'm Sierra! Currently, I am a Ph.D. Candidate at Michigan State University with a profound interest in neutron stars. My academic pursuits are a blend of observational and computational Astronomy, allowing me to explore the universe from various angles. Before MSU, I received my B.S. in Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin, where I had diverse research interests from galaxies to fiber optic interferometry. During the summers of 2019 and 2020, I also worked as an intern at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center researching inspiralling binaries (preliminary work) for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and then observing neutron stars with the Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER), which is an X-ray detector on the International Space Station. You can see my Current and Past Projects tab for more details on each project.
Hello, I'm Sierra! Currently, I am a Ph.D. Candidate at Michigan State University with a profound interest in neutron stars. My academic pursuits are a blend of observational and computational Astronomy, allowing me to explore the universe from various angles. Before MSU, I received my B.S. in Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin, where I had diverse research interests from galaxies to fiber optic interferometry. During the summers of 2019 and 2020, I also worked as an intern at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center researching inspiralling binaries (preliminary work) for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and then observing neutron stars with the Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER), which is an X-ray detector on the International Space Station. You can see my Current and Past Projects tab for more details on each project.
In the realm of science communication and outreach, I am quite active both within my local sphere and on social media, particularly on TikTok and Instagram (@giveSierraSpace). Notably, there are a limited number of scientists on TikTok, yet I've witnessed an enthusiastic response from my audience, eager to delve deeper into the mysteries of the cosmos. A couple of my most popular videos have achieved a remarkable milestone of 850k+ views, highlighting the demand for concise and engaging science content. My engagement in science communication and outreach encompasses being showcased in various online articles, prominent scientific YouTube channels, and, most notably, in the Netflix documentary "Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine" (2023). I am also heavily involved with Lansing's Astronomy on Tap. While I occasionally take the stage as host and speaker at AoT events, most of my time spent on AoT has been behind the scenes on the organizing committee. I volunteer my time as an organizer at AoT because I wholeheartedly align with its purpose to create an inclusive environment for the public to learn and ask questions about science, while simultaneously fostering a positive rapport between scientists and the public.
In the realm of science communication and outreach, I am quite active both within my local sphere and on social media, particularly on TikTok and Instagram (@giveSierraSpace). Notably, there are a limited number of scientists on TikTok, yet I've witnessed an enthusiastic response from my audience, eager to delve deeper into the mysteries of the cosmos. A couple of my most popular videos have achieved a remarkable milestone of 850k+ views, highlighting the demand for concise and engaging science content. My engagement in science communication and outreach encompasses being showcased in various online articles, prominent scientific YouTube channels, and, most notably, in the Netflix documentary "Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine" (2023). I am also heavily involved with Lansing's Astronomy on Tap. While I occasionally take the stage as host and speaker at AoT events, most of my time spent on AoT has been behind the scenes on the organizing committee. I volunteer my time as an organizer at AoT because I wholeheartedly align with its purpose to create an inclusive environment for the public to learn and ask questions about science, while simultaneously fostering a positive rapport between scientists and the public.
My guiding philosophy is that "Science is for Everyone!" I strive to break down barriers and make the complex accessible, inspiring individuals from all walks of life to join in the exploration of the cosmos. It is important to me to not only educate the public and facilitate interest in science but also to give women and underrepresented, historically marginalized students a safe place to ask questions, solicit advice, and find encouragement from my journey as a woman in STEM. As I continue to pursue my Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics at Michigan State University, I remain devoted to bridging the gap between the scientific community and the wider world, making the universe a puzzle we can all be a part of solving.
My guiding philosophy is that "Science is for Everyone!" I strive to break down barriers and make the complex accessible, inspiring individuals from all walks of life to join in the exploration of the cosmos. It is important to me to not only educate the public and facilitate interest in science but also to give women and underrepresented, historically marginalized students a safe place to ask questions, solicit advice, and find encouragement from my journey as a woman in STEM. As I continue to pursue my Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics at Michigan State University, I remain devoted to bridging the gap between the scientific community and the wider world, making the universe a puzzle we can all be a part of solving.
Bonus Pic of My Dog, Chico :)
Bonus Pic of My Dog, Chico :)
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