Sophie Lebowitz

I am a 6th year graduate student in the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory working with Dr. Kevin Hainline and Dr. Stephanie Juneau on the relationship between supermassive black holes and their host galaxy. My research uses observations from the James Webb Space Telescope to probe how supermassive black holes influence the environment of their host galaxy by triggering or suppressing star formation. This can help answer important questions regarding how galaxies change with time, including how our own Milky Way came to be what it is today. As a second year Space Grant Fellow, I will be partnering with DaNel Hogan, founder of braided STEM, to bring astronomy education into elementary and middle school classrooms through an interactive lesson, called "Discovering Black Holes". This lesson, designed as a first year Space Grant fellow, provides a fun, hands-on learning experience that teaches students about black holes of all types and sizes. I believe that engaging in scientific dialogue with young people is one of the most important and impactful things that I can do as a scientist. I look forward to continuing to teach young students about the mysteries and wonders of space!