Astronomy – The Amherst STEM Network

Piper Lentz ‘26 Discusses Her Summer Research on Ultra-Cool Dwarf Stars

Author By Nora Hart
Publication date November 9, 2025
Categories: Articles, Astronomy, Research

This past summer, Piper Lentz analyzed data of dwarf stars to advance investigations into the possibilities of life beyond our universe. A senior Astronomy and Physics double major at Amherst College, she has spent the past three years working under Professor Bardalez Gagliuffi in the Binary Worlds Lab. When Piper joined the summer after her…

Probing Planet Formation: Cailin Plunkett Thesis Spotlight

Author By Amherst Stem Network
Publication date April 28, 2023
Categories: Articles, Astronomy, Interviews, Profiles

Article by Amy Zheng Cailin Plunkett ’23 is a physics and math major from Oakland, California. She is writing her thesis with Assistant Professor of Astronomy Kate Follette on the formation of protoplanets. Since childhood, Plunkett wanted to study space and physics. Despite receiving advice to pursue computer science or engineering, Plunkett chose to follow…