Graduating Student Spotlight: Emma Vertachnik
Emma Vertachnik graduates this spring with a B.S. in Astronomy, a B.A. in German Studies, and a minor in Physics
As Emma Vertachnik prepares to graduate with her B.S. in Astronomy, she reflects on highlights from her time at Steward Observatory, including researching the chemistry of star-forming regions and working on the 21-inch telescope on campus. Read her full interview below.
What brought you to Steward Observatory?
I’ve always been interested in space, but it wasn’t until high school that I realized astronomy was the path for me. After that, I started exploring different programs and was really drawn to the research and work being done at the University of Arizona. In a lot of ways, it feels like something I had been building toward for a long time, especially since astronomy was always my favorite part of science growing up. Coming here to Arizona gave me the chance to fully explore that interest and to satiate my curiosity.
Can you describe your research and any especially interesting learning experiences you’ve had during your time here?
One of my meaningful experiences during my time at the University of Arizona has been my research on the chemistry of star-forming regions. For my honors thesis, I studied nitric oxide (NO) emission in cold, dense regions of space known as starless cores to better understand the earliest stages of star formation. In addition to this work, I’ve also been involved in a long-term research project studying other molecular tracers in similar environments. These experiences involved analyzing radio telescope data and using code to interpret observations. Through this work, I’ve gained valuable firsthand experience and a deeper understanding of how we study the universe.
What's your greatest point of pride from your time at Steward?
I have many points of pride, one of which has been how much I’ve grown during my time at Steward, both as a student and as a person. I’ve learned to say yes to new opportunities, which has led me to experiences in research, working at the 21-inch telescope on campus, and becoming more involved in the astronomy community. Looking back, I’m proud of how much I’ve learned, the confidence I’ve gained, and how far I’ve come.
Can you share piece of wisdom from your time as an astronomy student?
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is to take chances because you never know where they might lead. Some of the best opportunities I’ve had in astronomy, both in research and work, came from simply putting myself out there and giving something a try.
What’s next?
I have been accepted to and will be attending a graduate program at Carnegie Mellon University.
We’re excited to celebrate our students who graduated this semester. Stayed tuned for more Spotlight profiles on Steward Observatory graduates, and follow our social media channels for more insight into the lives of our students, staff and faculty.