Marbely's Story: I got interested in astronomy very young, but the idea of having a career in astronomy only became real at the late stages of college. Studying astronomy as an undergraduate isn’t possible in Venezuela, where I’m from, which led me to study physics. It wasn’t until an elective class in Astronomy opened in my second to last year that I first learned the basics and interacted with researchers in the field, and suddenly the possibility to do astronomy as a career opened. I was introduced to star formation, and its complexity, which became my first research experience and undergraduate thesis: analyzing the emission lines formed in the accretion processes of young stars. These last years of undergrad were also during COVID, with everything remote, I got to participate from Venezuela in an online summer school in planet formation at a German University, where I was introduced to the sense of community and international collaboration astronomy has, one of the things I believe sets astronomy apart from other fields. I loved the field and the research which led me to continue in spectroscopy of young stars, now with connections to planet formation in my PhD, at the University of Michigan. Which I was told is not the most usual path, most people don’t continue in the same field from undergrad.
Marbely's Interests: Broadly, I am most interested in star and planet formation, from an observational point of view. Stars form surrounded by disks where planets form simultaneously, the two processes are interconnected. My current research focuses on the behavior of rocky material, essential to growing planets, in the inner regions of the disks surrounding young stars, using spectroscopy. So far, I've found missing rocky material in the bulk of matter reaching the star is connected to the presence of dust trapping and evolution mechanisms, related to early planet formation. I'm always open to learning more observational techniques and probing aspects of planet formation.
Marbely's Advice for Future Astronomy Students:
1. Find your people! Grad school is hard, and it is super important to surround yourself with people who want you to thrive. This goes from personal friends inside and outside astronomy to your future cohort and advisor. Having a supportive network to keep you sane and healthy during the ups and downs is key. Don't go for the big names if they won't support you in the way you need, you'll be successful in other environments with the right support.
2. Ask questions! It's scary, but there are no "stupid" questions, the earlier in your learning journey you start asking questions the better, you're there to learn. Don't be afraid to ask the same question many times.
3. There is always a luck factor, but you need to work hard first. The “luck factor” is often unspoken but it is very much real. With hard work you create opportunities for yourself, it's the way you put yourself at the right place, at the right time. I was told once, If you want to win the lottery, first you need to work so you can buy the ticket.
4. Choose an advisor you can connect with! This loops to point 1, but I cannot stress enough how a good relationship with your advisor is one of the most vital points to surviving grad school and keeping sane. It's a 5-year relationship! If it works, it will help you navigate your program, keep the motivation to do research, and connect with people in your field for your future. Don't be afraid to seek pathways to change your situation if you need to, it is better to move away (a little or completely) from your initial research interest than feel stuck having a bad relationship with your advisor. You can always come back to your initial idea later, or you may discover a new topic you love too!
5. As an international student who first arrived in the US for the PhD and whose native language isn't English, these points are essential to survive. Finding a program where you feel welcome and supported is key to helping you thrive. My cohort became my first line of friends and support network. You will see your cohort every day (most likely), they will help you break the language barrier and understand any cultural differences. Don't be afraid to speak up and stand up for yourself!
6. As a Latin American wanting to do grad school in astronomy in the US (or Europe), you can do it, play it smart! We often don’t have the same resources as people who did their undergrads in the US or other countries, so look out for hybrid or online opportunities that help you immerse yourself in the field and make early connections. Most opportunities will try to support you with funding, but deadlines might be earlier. Send emails, ask for waivers, and don’t be afraid to knock on the door! Always put your experience in astronomy and research into context, and look for places where you feel you will have the right support to grow as a researcher and as a person.
What's next for Marbely? After the PhD, I would love to continue researching star and planet formation for as long as possible, so a postdoctoral program is my most immediate path; after that, an astronomer/scientist position or faculty job would be ideal.
