Clubs & Organizations

University Astrophysics Club Secretary (SP13-SP14)

President (SP15), Japanese Student Association

Where You Are Now and What You’re Doing

I’m currently residing on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi working full-time for Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), Hawaiʻi Operations as an operator for the Y. T. Lee Array Telescope.

Places You Have Worked, Interned or Traveled to for Your Career

On-campus

ASTR 110 General Astronomy (3) Teaching Assistant (SP15) and ASTR 110L Gen Astronomy Lab (1) Lab Assistant (SP14-SP15)

Off-campus

Laser Spotter, Subaru Telescope (Sept. 15 - May 16)

Student/Office Assistant (Oct. 15 - Mar. 17) and YTLA Operator (Mar. 17 - Present), ASIAA Hawaiʻi Operations

Brief Bio

My name is Kristen Laguaña, and I’m full Chamorro, born and raised on the island of Guam. I took an interest in astronomy at a young age; to me, the concepts were overwhelming, but the bigger picture was fascinating. In 2011, I transferred from University of Guam to UH Hilo to study astronomy after realizing that I wasn’t really interested in any of the other subjects I took. I graduated in Spring 2016 and now work full-time for ASIAA as a telescope operator on Mauna Loa. When I’m not working, you can find me watching anime, listening to Chon, or singing in a band called 82 Penn!

What Attracted You to UH Hilo Physics & Astronomy?

At the time I transferred to UH Hilo it was the closest astronomy program to home. I also figured that, being from Guam, living on another island would make it easier for me to culturally adjust.