Department of Physics and Astronomy

B.S. Astronomy, B.A. Physics & Minor Mathematics (Class of 2012)

Kimberly EmigKimberly Emig
Clubs organizations
SACNAS, PISCES
Outreach events (Gemini + Journey Through the Universe, Astroday, etc.)
Volunteer at the VIS and for MK Observatories
William Putnam competition
Where you are now and what you're doing
PhD in Astronomy (expected 2019) at Leiden Observatory, Netherlands
Areas of specialty
Research: Active galaxies
ISM of Galaxies
Radio Recombination lines
Radio Astronomy
Spectroscopy
High energy neutrinos

Places you have worked, interned or traveled to for your career:

  • Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory in La Serena, Chile (2012)
  • Science intern, Gemini Observatory (2012-2013)
  • Arizona State University (Masters of Science, Astrophysics), (2013-2015)
  • Intern at Hamburg Observatory, Germany (2014)
  • Leiden Observatory, Netherlands (2015-2019)
  • conferences: Netherlands, Italy, UK, France, Germany, USA (California, Boston, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Washington DC)
  • observing with the GMRT telescope, India (2018)
Brief bio
You can call me Kim or Kimi. I’m originally from Pennsylvania and completed my undergraduate at UH Hilo. I then worked as a science intern at Gemini for a year before doing my graduate studies at Arizona State University and the Leiden Observatory. I’m fairly athletic. I love plants (gardening) and nature (exploring it), as well as cooking. I also really like working with kiddos in astronomy outreach. I find academic research fun, interesting and stimulating. I think its highly worthwhile to pursue, even if the end goal is not to stay in academia. I encourage you to try it out for yourself! Please write me if you have any questions (especially about academia, internships, research opportunities). I’m very happy to provide any help that I can.
What attracted you to UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy?
proximity to the observatories
small size of the department (care and attention that you wont find in larger departments)
Hawaiian culture
nature of Hawaiʻi

Advice for prospective/current students of UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy:

  • Volunteer to co-observe at the observatories on Mauna Kea
  • take the initiative to find research projects - get experience doing research (even if you feel like you don't know what you are doing!). it provides valuable life tools
  • don't hesitate to contact me (and others) if you have any questions about the field! (networking really helps, especially when coming from a smaller department)
  • apply for summer internships. in many cases, they are looking to give opportunities to students from smaller universities
  • there is a lot of value in continuing on with astronomy research (e.g. doing PhD, etc) even if you don't or don't want to become a professor
  • regularly involve yourself in the community

(Updated September 2018)