Managing Editor

Caroline McCormick is a PhD candidate in Astronomy at the University of Virginia. Her current research utilizes stellar spectroscopy to study the chemical compositions of thousands of stars in the Magellanic Clouds. Through these compositions, she seeks to uncover patterns and key insights into the physical processes occurring within stars at different stages of their lives. Notably, these processes include the creation of atoms, like carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, and the transportation of these atoms within stars. Caroline earned a B.S. in Astronomy from the University of Arizona in 2021 and an M.S. in Astronomy from the University of Virginia in 2023. In her free time, Caroline enjoys watching baseball and soccer, spending time with her husband and their three rabbits, gardening, and learning about dinosaurs!

Science Editor

Amanda Alvarado-Torres is a Ph.D. student in Astrochemistry at the University of Virginia. She holds a B.S. Chemistry and M.S. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico. Amanda’s current research combines computational models and spectroscopy to study gas is distributed in planet forming environments. Previous to this, she studied the formation of water molecules in star-forming environments. She’s very passionate about astronomy outreach and education, especially making the wonders of the universe accessible to all. Outside of astronomy, she loves gardening and spending time with her dog, Laika.

Science Editor

Mélisse Bonfand is a postdoctoral fellow supported by the Virginia Initiative on Cosmic Origins (VICO) program, working in the Departments of Chemistry and Astronomy at the University of Virginia. Her research combines state-of-the-art radio telescopes and advanced numerical simulations to explore how organic molecules form in space, particularly within interstellar clouds where stars are born. Prior to her current role, Mélisse was a postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Bordeaux (France) until the summer of 2022. She holds a B.S. in Physics and an M.S. in Astrophysics from the Université Joseph Fourier in Grenoble, France. In 2019, she earned her Ph.D. jointly from the University of Bonn (Germany) and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy. Passionate about sharing her love for science, Mélisse has actively participated in numerous outreach events, including astronomy festivals, public presentations, and stargazing nights in France, Germany, and the United States. She loves traveling and inspiring others to marvel at the wonders of the universe everywhere she goes.

Science Editor

Samantha is a Jansky Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Before moving to Charlottesville, Samantha was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Arizona’s Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory in Tucson, Arizona where she earned her Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics. She also holds a B.S. degree is in both Physics and Astronomy from Stony Brook University, located in Stony Brook, New York. As an observational astrochemist and radio astronomer, Samantha primarily studies dense nurseries of gas and dust prior to the formation of stars like our Sun in order to understand their evolution and complex chemistry. Passionate about science writing, Samantha also completed a Science Communications Certificate while at the University of Arizona. 

Science Editor

Katy Wetzel is an undergraduate student at Florida Institute of Technology currently pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Her research focuses on active galactic nuclei and black hole jet emissions, using data received from the Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, and James Webb Space Telescope. For three years, Katy has also worked as an assistant laboratory manager in the Florida Tech Chemistry Department. She aims to promote environmental sustainability and humanitarianism alongside scientific advancement. Outside of academia, Katy loves to play guitar, paint, write, and be in nature. 

Senior Editor

Annika Geiger is an experienced editor of nonfiction books and magazine articles, previously specializing in editing, project managing, and acquiring titles for a lifestyle book publisher. She has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Annika is a Southern California native and fluent Danish speaker who comes from a long line of creatives, with several published authors and professional artists in her family. Most recently, in addition to editing, Annika has authored books for major publishers that are geared toward both children and adults. She is married to a Ph.D. scientist and enjoys collaborating with him and their science-minded young daughter to make knowledge approachable and accessible to all.

Website Manager

Ryan McMahon is Research Project Coordinator by day, and Website Manager for the Astrochemistry Report by night. Originally hailing from Upstate New York, Ryan currently lives in Washington, DC. He enjoys design, programming, reading, and riding his bike.