About Us

The hosts of astro[sound]bites are four Astronomy PhD students studying a range of astronomy topics at different universities around the United States, Europe, and Australia, excited to share our love of science and interesting new research results. Read more about who we all are below!

Shashank Dholakia

Lucia Härer

I’m at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik in Heidelberg, Germany, where I study the acceleration of cosmic rays in star-forming regions and corresponding gamma-ray signatures. I love to run, swim, hike and to do science communication and outreach projects.

Cormac Larkin

I’m a PhD student at the Astronomisches-Rechen Institut and Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, supported by the 2022 IMPRS-HD Fellowship. My research focuses on massive stars and combines stellar wind modelling with astrophysical plasma theory. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy at the University of Groningen. In my spare time, I work on Physics Education research, and I enjoy hiking and travelling.

Personal website: https://cormacjklarkin.github.io/

Cole Meldorf

I’m a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania where I study observational and theoretical cosmology, specifically through Type Ia supernovae and multimessenger events. I earned my Bachelor’s in Astrophysics from the University of Chicago and my Master’s from the University of Cambridge. Outside of research and classes I love teaching, playing the violin, and cooking!

Personal website:

astro[sound]bites Alumni

Sabrina Berger

I’m currently a PhD student at the University of Melbourne. I study the high redshift universe both observationally and theoretically using both quasars and the 21cm line. I received my MSc at McGill University in 2022 and my Bachelor’s degree in astrophysics at UC Berkeley in 2018.

Personal website: https://sabrinastronomy.github.io/.

Kiersten Boley

I’m a NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Earth & Planets Laboratory in Washington DC. I study the connection between planet formation and the evolution of our galaxy along with magma ocean planet interiors and their evolution.  I received my PhD from Ohio State University in 2024 and my Bachelor’s in Physics from Georgia Tech. When I’m not doing research, I love to scuba dive, run, and paint!

Personal website: https://kboley3.github.io/

Will Saunders (Founder)

I am currently a Planetary Scientist at NASA Langley. I was a Ph.D. student and NASA FINESST Fellow at Boston University, where I study planetary atmospheres. I work with Prof. Paul Withers at BU and Dr. Mike Person at MIT using stellar occultations to measure temperatures in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune. I received my Bachelor’s in Physics & Astronomy from the University of Pennsylvania. In my free time I enjoy hard-edge painting and visiting museums that have hard-edge painting.

Personal website: https://williamrsaunders.com/

Malena Rice (Founder)

I was a 51 Pegasi b Fellow at the MIT Kavli Institute from 2022-2023, and I began as an Assistant Professor in the Yale Astronomy Department in Summer 2023. I received my Ph.D. from the Yale Astronomy Department in February 2022, and my dissertation examined the dynamical characteristics and evolution of planetary systems. Before that, I received my Bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from UC Berkeley in 2017. Outside of research, I love to read, play the flute, explore art museums, and eat great bread.

Personal website: http://www.astro.yale.edu/malenarice/

Alex Gagliano (Founder)

I am a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Institute for AI and Fundamental Interactions (IAIFI), jointly affiliated with MIT and Harvard. I received my PhD. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I studied the host galaxies and early interaction signatures of supernovae. Before that, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Computational Modeling and Data Analytics from Virginia Tech and have spent time at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics. Outside of astronomy, I love running, playing cello, and building community.

Personal website: http://alexandergagliano.github.io/