Starry Night

Who I am...
"The important thing is not to stop questioning."
-Albert Einstein (1879-1955)


mugshot

     My name is Michele Stark, I currently am a physics lecturer at the University of Michigan-Flint campus. In 2009-2010 I worked as a Research Scientist with the Swift Explorer Program. From 2005-2009 I was the Associate Director of the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium. I did my graduate studies in astronomy at Pennsylvania State University. I did my undergraduate work in astrophysics at Michigan State University (MSU).
     Since I am crazy enough to be in astronomy, you probably guess that I must really love it - and you would be right. Since my primary interest is astronomy, I am dedicating a good portion of my page to astronomy links and information, with a few nonsensical links to strange and bizarre places (well, I can't be serious all the time) - be sure to check out my links page.

     Here is my physical location in space-time (if you really want to know):


Road With Cypress and Tree

What I'm doing...
"Today gives us a chance to love, to work, to play, and to look up at the stars."
-Henry Van Dyke



Graduate Work

During the summer of 2005 I finished my graduate work in astronomy at Penn State. In 2002-2005 I held a NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) Fellowship for my PhD thesis work on extended blue horizontal branch stars (A.K.A. hot subdwarfs). Some info about what I have been working on can be found on my hot subdwarf page.


Undergrad

My undergrad research interests were primarily variable stars. I participated in two studies related to variable stars while at MSU. The first involved variable stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud, and the second a detailed study of the variable star XX Leo. I also participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Kitt Peak National Observatory, where I worked on a project studying quasar absorption lines. More information about these research projects, including links to published papers, can be found by visiting my research page.


Outreach and Education

I have also been actively involved in astronomy and science outreach and education. I was actively involved with the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association for many years, and as a grad student I was an advisor for the Penn State Astronomy Club. Also, while at MSU I was involved with the student run Science Theatre. During high school I interned at the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium in Grand Rapids, MI, then worked at Abrams Planetarium while at MSU where (among other things) I served as an assistant for a class on celestial navigation, AST 101. At Penn State I worked as a TA for three years (one of which I also served as the Head TA for the astronomy department) - this primarily involved teaching sections of introductory astronomy labs to non-science majors (ASTRO 11). I also assist with Penn State Astronomy outreach through planetarium shows and public telescope open houses. Here is a list of outreach and educational info on my site.

E-mail me

Last Updated: Aug 22, 2011.