The last TAURUS Scholar Spotlight of 2019 is here and it's all about Lana Elauria. Lana joins us from CalPoly San Luis Obispo, where she is currently a senior working towards a physics major. Lana has done some research in biophysics at her home institute modeling the spread of crop disease, and is now gaining some experiences in the world of astrophysics. Lana’s project aims to identify young stars by looking for rotation in thousands of time series lightcurves from the Kepler Satellite, and then search them for transiting exoplanets. Lana's research mentor, Dr. Aaron Rizzuto, sat down with Lana recently to learn more.
AR: What led to chose your major and what do you like about it?
LE: I have been aiming at doing a physics major since middle school, where I was inspired by a really great teacher who got me thinking about how things work. The same interest in how things work and breaking things down into models carried through into my college studies. The puzzle solving experience is something I really like, and the process-based learning often featured in physics really suits me.
AR: What led you to apply for the TAURUS program?
LE: I new I wanted to do a summer research project in a physics area, and astronomy and astrophysics was something I was interested in since I started college. Given that I was already exploring other areas of physics with research projects at my home institution, TAURUS seemed like a great move in the astronomy direction. I really wanted direct working experience in the field, so when the opportunities arose I applied to astro research summer programs, including TAURUS. I also wanted a somewhat more open ended and less directed research experience, to see how I would do in a self-sufficient working envirnment, and that seemed like a possibility with TAURUS.
AR: Who have been some inspiring mentors/role models in your life?
LE: The professors I got to work with at my home institution have really helped me build my interest in physics and science. Dr. Stamatis Vokos and Dr. Oleg Kogan are the two professors I’ve worked closely with prior to TAURUS over the last three years, and talking to them about my experience and goals as an undergrad has been very helpful for pointing me in the right direction and keeping me aiming high.
AR: What does it mean to you to be a scientist?
LE: I’m not sure yet, I think I need more experience in the field to be able to give a specific answer to that. But generally, I think it’s to keep exploring things that you are curious about, and to always look for find new things and questions to ask.
AR: What advice would you give to high school or early undergraduate students who are interested in the science career path?
LE: Beyond a certain point it doesn’t really matter as much what grades you are getting, it matters what you do and what you’ve been a part of. Building experiences is very important.
AR: What are some of your interests outside of school and astronomy?
LE: Movies and music are the two interest that I keep going back to. I listen to lots of music and I play guitar. My parents pushed me to take guitar classes when I was 8, and I learned for a few years then stopped and forgot everything. In senior year of high school I got back into it and have been enjoying it since. I think that because these activities are not as structured and more creative they are a good alternative to the subjects that I am studying in College. I’m also on a sketch comedy team at my home institution. So really anything creative and very different from science is what I gravitate to when I’m not studying or working.
AR: What are your longer term career goals? Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
LE: I don’t really have an answer for that. I’m at a point right now where I’m not sure where I’ll be even two years in the future. But that’s not a bad thing, and I don’t find it discouraging. I’ve been working hard to get to this point for a long time and can take whatever path interests me from here, and the possibilities are all exciting.
