Kaitlyn Szekerczes is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). She previously earned her B.S. in Physics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2022. At Penn State, her work has focused on preparing for the science that can be done with the upcoming space-based mission by the European Space Agency known as LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna). This mission will detect gravitational waves, or ripples in spacetime, from within our Milky Way Galaxy and even out to the early Universe. The goals of her research have varied from identifying types of stars that can mimic the light from massive binary black holes detected by LISA to using LISA to learn more about the Milky Way and the number distribution of stellar masses throughout the Galaxy, which is a focus of her dissertation. To do these studies, she uses simulations to build up mock populations of stars. During her time at Penn State, she has become active in science outreach and led classroom astronomy activities for elementary through high school age groups and the broader community. This has included volunteering at community fairs, AstroFest (a four-night festival of astronomy and stargazing at Penn State’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics), and the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games. She has also had the opportunity to serve as the mentor of fellow graduate and undergraduate students.

During her Fulbright-IKY fellowship, Kaitlyn will be conducting research at the Institute of Astrophysics, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IA-FORTH) at Heraklion, Crete under the mentorship of Dr. Maria Charisi. Her research will build upon her work investigating the types of “imposter” stars that can mimic light from massive binary black holes. Using the newly-commissioned Rubin Observatory, she will construct catalogs of these “imposter” stars for astronomers to reference when searching for the light from these black hole systems, thus reducing the potential for confusion and improving the efficiency in which these black holes are found. While in Heraklion, she will continue to carry out science outreach through events hosted at IA-FORTH and by leading astronomy activities for schools in the local community.