Graduate Student
STAR Lab: asteroid detection through small space-based telescopes
Sophia Vlahakis is a PhD candidate in STAR Lab. Her research interests are in asteroid detection, solar system science, space telescopes, and small satellites. Currently, she is studying how small space-based telescopes can help observe asteroids which pose a risk of impacting Earth. In 2020, Sophia completed her bachelor’s degree in Physics at the University of Chicago. As a Comm Lab fellow, Sophia enjoys helping peers with graduate admissions and fellowship applications, particularly with story-telling and turning a collection of ideas into a narrative. Sophia currently serves as the president of Disabled@MIT and the American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Club. Outside of research, Sophia enjoys skiing, climbing, and painting.