In 1994 Christine Jones began the NSF-funded SAO Astronomy REU
(Research Experience for Undergraduates) Program.
I was an advisor the first year, and helped out informally
for several years before becoming a co-director. As of 2018
Matt Ashby took over from Christine as PI, and I remained co-director.
Each year we welcome about 10 undergraduate students from across
the USA to the Harvard campus to provide them with experience
in research and prepare them for grad school. (A few non-US
students have also joined the program via other funding sources).
It's been an incredible experience - I am proud to have known
these amazing scientists early in their careers and delighted
that many of them are still my friends.
See: The Astro REU Group Photos
See: Astro REU Photo Albums
We like to keep track of the further careers of our students, whether
in astronomy or elsewhere. See:
List of the SAO Astro REU Alumni
Here are some of the program calendars from past years: The Astro REU Calendars
The SAO Astro REU Team
| | Role | Dates |
|---|
| Dr. Christine Jones Forman | PI/Director | 1994-2016 |
| Dr. Matt Ashby | PI/Co-Director | 2017-2023 |
| Dr. Jonathan McDowell | Co-Director | 1996-2023 |
| Dr. Jonathan McDowell | PI/Co-Director | 2023- |
| Dr. Nimesh Patel | Co-Director | 2023- |
|
| Kim Dow | Project Support | 1994-1998 |
| Sherry Winkelman | Project Support | 1999-2007 |
| Dr. Saku Vrtilek | Project Support | 2004-2007 |
| Melissa Cirtain | Project Support | 2005-2007 |
| Dr. Marie Machacek | Project Support | 2008-2016 |
| Dr. Matt Ashby | Project Support | 2015-2016 |
| Tania Ruiz | Project support | ca 1999 |
|
| Elizabeth Bohlen | Web site support | 1994-2010 |
| Natanya Ness | Admin support | 1994-2004 |
| Kara Tutunjian | Admin support | 2005-now |