Dana says “I’m honored to have been awarded the Oegerle scholarship by our department. Under the mentorship of Prof. Sarah Ballard, my research primarily focuses on exoplanets, planets orbiting stars other than our Sun. I’m passionate about investigating the detectability of planets around small, M-dwarf stars, and this scholarship will significantly support my efforts in this field. M-dwarfs, which are half the size of the Sun or smaller, are particularly important because they are the most abundant stars in our galaxy and are likelier to host small, rocky planets like Earth. This scholarship will enable me to collaborate with scientists at other institutions and to present my research at upcoming conferences. I’m excited about the opportunity to expand our picture of exoplanets’ diversity, including ones that could potentially support life. It’s a privilege to be recognized for my work, and I’m eager to contribute further to our department’s research endeavors.”
The William Oegerle Scholarship in Physics and Astronomy is named after UF alumnus Dr. William Oegerle. The fund provides support for undergraduate students who show exceptional promise in conducting research in physics and/or astronomy. The awardee carries out a research project under the guidance of a faculty member in the Department of Physics or Astronomy. Support can include tuition, books, computers, and travel to professional meetings to present research findings.
This scholarship was created by UF alumnus Dr. William Oegerle, who graduated from UF in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and received his Ph.D. in 1977 from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Oegerle was a Director with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He worked on the Hubble Space Telescope and in 2016 was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the top honor NASA can bestow on a civilian.
