GEMS Group
GEMS (formerly Tucson Women in Astronomy) is a group for students and postdocs to socialize, network, and discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise from being gender minorities in STEM.
GEMS contact: gems@as.arizona.edu
TIMESTEP
TIMESTEP is a bi-weekly discussion group about topics of professional development for undergraduates in STEM fields at UArizona.
Project Manager: Rebecca Lipson
PI: Gurtina Besla
Astrocharlas
Astrocharlas es una serie de charlas públicas de astronomía en el Observatorio Steward de la Universidad de Arizona que se realiza completamente en español. El evento ocurre una vez por semestre y es completamente abierto al público.
Astrocharlas is an astronomy public talk series at Steward Observatory at the University of Arizona that is completely given in Spanish. It is given once a semester and is completely open to the public.
Astrocharlas contacts: Dennis Zaritsky, Gurtina Besla, Tom Fleming
Undergraduate Students: Christian Martinez, Paulina Soto Robles
MESCIT
Mentorship and Education in SCIence for Tucson (MESCIT)* is a UArizona mentorship and math tutoring program servicing the Native American student population around Tucson.
Contact: mescit.ua@gmail.com
PIs: Gurtina Besla & Everett Schlawin
Program Manager: Amber Laughing
Grad Students: Joe Adamo, Aaron Goldtooth
LGBTQIA Group
At the Steward Observatory LGBTQIA+ group, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations within the astronomy department.
LGBTQIA+ contact: TBD
The Physics and Astronomy Faculty Teaching Institute (FTI)
Formerly known as the New Faculty Workshop (NFW), is a professional development program for physics and astronomy faculty focused on effective and inclusive teaching practices. The signature event is an intensive four-day professional development workshop, followed by an array of FTI long-term engagement activities to continue a meaningful connecting with the physics teaching community. The FTI is a project of the AAPT, APS, and AAS.
PI Launchpad
Teaching researchers how to develop and PI a space mission. The PI Launchpad has been held three times (2019, 2021, and 2023), with a 2025 workshop planned at Ames Research Center in August 2025. The program has posted all content online at NASA.
Contact: Erika Hamden
SODEI International Scholars Task Force
The International Scholars Task Force is an initiative of dedicated volunteers from Dept. of Astronomy, LPL, Physics who are strong advocates for international scholars. The task force want to 1) support international graduate students and postdocs in their transition to living and working in Tucson and create a support network and 2) to foster a climate of respect, appreciation, and exchange among the different cultures in our community. The International Scholars Allyship Program is created to help new international scholars who are joining Steward Observatory with their transition to the US and integration into our community at Steward and in Tucson.
Contact: astro-allies@list.arizona.edu
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