Brianna Lacy and Luke Bouma, both 5th year graduate students in the Department of Astrophysical Sciences have each been selected for a 51 Pegasi b Fellowship in planetary astronomy. Brianna will be hosted by the University of Texas at Austin; in her fellowship she will address the limitations of analyzing three-dimensional planets with one-dimensional models to provide a more robust understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.  Her research advisor is Adam Burrows, Professor of Astrophysical Sciences.

Luke Bouma will be hosted by the California Institute of Technology and in his fellowship he will refine his observational methods to test theories on the dominant modes of production for hot Jupiters—gas giants that orbit very close to their stars. Josh Winn, Professor of Astrophysical Sciences and Director of Graduate Studies, serves as Luke’s research advisor.

Established in 2017, the Heising-Simons Foundation 51 Pegasi b Fellowship is named for the first exoplanet discovered orbiting a Sun-like star. The Fellowship provides exceptional postdoctoral scientists the opportunity to conduct theoretical, observational, and experimental research in planetary astronomy. Graduate students Lacy and Bouma, both expected to graduate in the fall, are two of eight fellows selected by the Heising-Simons Foundation for the 2021 51 Pegasi b Fellowship. The fellowship award provides monetary and mentorship support for each fellow allowing them to establish distinction and leadership in the field.

Read the announcement here.