Mariangel Albornoz
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Website:
Biography
As a first-generation college student in the United States, Mariangel knew she had to step up for her family. Born in Venezuela, she developed a deep love of the Universe. She is currently studying astrophysics at the University of Florida, especially interested in exoplanets and habitable worlds. Mariangel’s journey began as a young girl who found her uncle’s astronomy book. Captivated by its images, she taught herself to read, sparking a lifelong passion for astronomy.
Her passion for exoplanets arises from the mysteries of the cosmos: What is our place in this universe? Are there others like us? Her current research involves detecting promising planetary candidates through TESS light curves for higher-resolution follow-up observations with ground-based telescopes. She hopes to become a research scientist and work for a national lab such as NASA, and eventually work in academia to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Beyond her scientific pursuits, Mariangel is determined to expand student access to education. She has been a part of a non-profit to coach minorities for success in college applications, and make science an accessible field for everyone. Ultimately, Mariangel aims to utilize her experiences to help create a world where anyone curious enough can thrive in science.
