Saint Martins Astrophysics Professor Andrea Kunder Shoots for the Stars with National Science Foundation Grant

Andrea Kunder, an associate professor at Saint Martin’s University, received the National Science Foundation's prestigious Astronomy and Astrophysics Grant for her research on globular clusters. The funding enables her team to examine how these star groupings disintegrate, aiming to deepen the understanding of gravitational forces in the galaxy. Kunder's collaboration with students allows them to co-author research papers, a rarity in undergraduate education. Notable student co-authors include Evan Butler, who is the lead author on one publication, and Claire Skaggs, who garnered recognition for her research poster. The team expects to produce four to six publications in leading journals, significantly enhancing the students' academic profiles.

Kunder previously worked at notable observatories in Chile and Germany before joining the faculty in 2017. Brandy Fox, Chair of Natural Sciences, emphasizes the importance of student-faculty collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge. This initiative not only impacts the students' careers but also contributes to the broader scientific community.