ICRAR is pleased to announce Laura Serrano Rodriguez as the inaugural recipient of the Renu Sharma Scholarship in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Beginning her Masters in Physics, Laura will be studying galaxy mergers at the University of Western Australia node at ICRAR.
Laura Serrano Rodriguez, the inaugural recipient of the Renu Sharma Scholarship in Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Laura, a 22-year-old Colombian woman has always had an interest in all things space. She says that while her interest waned in childhood, it was images from the Hubble Space Telescope that re-ignited her love for space. Laura specifically remembers one photo which showed how galaxies interact and evolve by merging.
“It just became a passion from there, because I’ve been interested in galaxy mergers since then.”
Laura has followed this interest ever since, even undertaking work experience with ICRAR in 2018, conducting a small research project on galaxy mergers.
The Renu Sharma Scholarship, named for Dr Renu Sharma, ICRAR’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of Translation and Impact, is funded by the University of Western Australia node of ICRAR to encourage and support participation of female and Indigenous students in astronomy and astrophysics.
“I look forward to seeing more girls and Indigenous students at ICRAR” Dr Sharma said.
This image of the Antennae galaxies colliding, taken from the Hubble Space Telescope, reignited Laura’s love of space.
Credit: NASA, ESA
With a lack of female representation in physics, it is often difficult for young women to see themselves succeeding in the field. Increasing opportunities and representation for women and other underrepresented groups in STEM helps young people see a future for themselves.
Laura says that seeing women and people from different backgrounds during her work experience at ICRAR helped her to see a future in physics and astronomy for herself. “The fact that there are more women, and that my supervisor is also a woman, it just makes it feel more personal, more welcoming.”
Now back with ICRAR, Laura will be conducting simulation-based research into how galaxy interactions and evolution affect the metallicity of the Interstellar Medium of galaxies, and further galaxy evolution under the supervision of computational astrophysicist Associate Professor Claudia Lagos. For Laura, the fact that A/P Lagos is also South American is equally inspiring, as it is “even more representation.”
Laura Serrano Rodriguez (centre) with ICRAR’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of Translation and Impact, Dr Renu Sharma (right) and her research supervisor Dr Claudia Lagos (left)
Despite being a high achiever, Laura says she still struggles sometimes with feeling like she’s not quite good enough.
“I’m sure many people struggle with this, but I always think that ‘Oh, I’m not good enough, or I’m not smart enough… But with the scholarship, it is a reassurance that this is the field that I do enjoy, and I am good at what I do.”
Dr Sharma agrees, “She’s amazing. I’m very humbled and privileged for her to get the scholarship.”
Through this scholarship, Dr Sharma and ICRAR hope to assist and encourage underrepresented women and other genders in astronomy and astrophysics. Helping them to see a future where they can not only succeed, but where they belong.
Laura is very honoured to have been awarded the scholarship and is excited for the opportunity to be part of increasing representation for young women in the future.
