In early January 2025, a group of 16 students from Brigham Young University’s Physics & Astronomy Department showcased their research at the prestigious American Astronomical Society (AAS) in National Harbor, Maryland. Over 4 days, the cohort consisting of 2 graduate students and 14 undergraduates presented posters and delivered talks on topics ranging from variable stars and galaxies to supermassive black holes and cosmology. Dr. Eric Hintz also contributed by sharing his research on short-period variable stars and representing BYU at the conference’s graduate school fair.
The AAS Winter Meeting, known as the "Super Bowl of Astronomy," attracts over 3,000 early career and professional astronomers, physicists, and engineers annually. Researchers from across the globe gather to present groundbreaking work, with this year’s highlights including discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope, insights into supermassive black hole growth, a growing Hubble “crisis in cosmology”, and studies on the impact of X-rays on exoplanets and the development of life.
For decades, BYU has been a national leader in undergraduate research mentoring, regularly sending students to prominent conferences like AAS and those of the American Physical Society. This tradition allows students to gain exposure to cutting-edge science, network with leading researchers, and plan their future graduate and career paths. Many students consider these experiences to be pivotal in their development into independent researchers.
The 2025 Winter AAS conference once again demonstrates BYU’s commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders, cementing its place as a hub for undergraduate research excellence.
From left to right: James Bleazard – Nate Garey – Sam Norcross – McKay Harms – Mason Rohner – Colin Derieg – Nicholas LeVar – Scott Call – Garrett Suggs – Grace Steed – Perri Coggins – Nonnie Bash – Seneca Bahr – Megan Gee – Thomas Griffith – Saragrace Felvus – Shelby Summers – Carter Garrett
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