Exploring Galaxies in Outer Space and Academic Leadership Through the Journey of a Leading Female Astronomer

Summary: Outer space - does it allure and call out to you? Does it fascinate you to ponder how the universe and galaxies come into being? How do galaxies grow over time and change dramatically across different regions of outer space? How do they grow their stars, black holes, and dark matter? These are some of the questions that drive the research of this episode's guest, Dr. Shardha Jogee. She will share her early deep fascination with science, how she dared to dream big, and how it all culminated against all odds in her career as an astronomer, professor, and chair of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin. She will discuss some of her exciting research using NASA's Hubble, Spitzer, and Herschel Space Telescopes, McDonald Observatory, and the future Giant Magellan Telescope, and invite young minds to join the journey of scientific exploration. She will also share the excitement of advancing Texas Astronomy in her role as department chair.