The AAS Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy maintains this blog to disseminate information relevant to astronomers who identify as women and share the perspectives of astronomers from varied backgrounds. If you have an idea for a blog post or topic, please submit a short pitch (less than 300 words).
The views expressed on this site are not necessarily the views of the CSWA, the AAS, its Board of Trustees, or its membership.
Born and raised in California, Rayna Rampalli (she/her) is a fifth-year NSF GRFP fellow in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Dartmouth College. She graduated from Wellesley College with a bachelor's in astrophysics and spent two years doing astronomy research through Columbia
University's Bridge to the Ph.D. Program in STEM. With Prof. Elisabeth Newton, she is focused on completing her dissertation research - using stars as tools to understand the evolution of planets and our own Milky Way. Rayna is committed to making astronomy more inclusive and accessible.
Describe the first time you made a personal connection with the planets and stars
Growing up in California, I didn’t have access to the darkest night skies (though you’d be surprised what you can see in Sacramento!). When I was nine years old, I attended a summer camp at a local science museum with a planetarium. All of us were always excited to spend time there learning about various constellations and how different cultures interpreted them and watching videos about our solar system. This shared interest in the universe united under one sky and the calmness of the planetarium has stayed with me over the years.
How did you end up working in the field?
I am definitely one of those people who never grew out of her childhood interests. But as a high schooler, I wanted to know what a career in astronomy was actually like and was lucky enough to attend the University of Arizona’s advanced astronomy camp led by Dr. Don McCarthy. We spent an entire week observing and analyzing data using the telescopes on Kitt Peak, and I definitely saw myself content to do this for the rest of my life!
Who inspires you?
At the beginning of graduate school, my advisor encouraged our research group to develop a mission statement for ourselves based on Dr. Lucianne Walkowicz’s workshops. In writing this, I realized how my goals to engage in open and inclusive science are a reflection of the incredible mentors I’ve had in my academic journey. They have guided me with a level of integrity, support, openness, and commitment to improving inclusion that have allowed me to feel like I deserve and belong in this field. The grit, resilience, and unwavering support of my family is also a daily inspiration to leave every space I enter better than I found it.
What community issues are important to you and why?
In the last decade, astronomy has made significant progress in identifying DEI issues and proposing recommendations. However, the execution of these initiatives can fall short and lead to a lack of true, sustainable change. To ensure meaningful impact, we need to incorporate expertise from programs like Movement Consulting and the expertise of social scientists to effectively implement and sustain these efforts. Additionally, while much of the focus in DEI efforts has rightly been on how identity impacts inclusion, we also need to consider more subtle forms of privilege, such as the advantages tied to certain institutions over others. Addressing these institutional inequities is crucial to creating a more level playing field.
Tell us about a favorite moment so far in your career.
As a senior at Wellesley College, a few other physics majors and I started documenting how courses at Wellesley were historically designed to, and successfully did, support women pursuing physics and astronomy. I remember us digging through materials in the library archives and reading letters from Sarah Frances Whiting and Annie Jump Cannon, who was the first woman astronomer I ever learned about. It was truly a full circle and learning-from-history moment.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to take the same career path as you?
Do not underestimate the power of collaboration and being unafraid to admit you do not know something. Seek opportunities to grow your mentorship network beyond your current institution.
What do you do for fun?
I love swimming both in the pool as part of the Upper Valley (UV) Rays masters swim team and in whatever various natural bodies of water I’m near at the moment. You can also usually find me watching the latest bad TV shows available on Netflix.
If you weren’t in the field of astronomy, what would you be doing?
I took a few American studies courses in college that were super fun and contextualized my own experiences as a South Asian woman of color. I would probably pursue a PhD in it to understand American society, history, and culture in all its diversity and complexity from an interdisciplinary perspective.
What changes would you like to see for women in astronomy?
I recently read this article about how women in academia end up doing all the “academic housework” at their institution. These inequities in labor begin as early as college and propagate to the larger systemic inequities we see in the field. I envision a world where this is longer the case. I also want to encourage the discourse that women are not a monolith and to value the unique contributions and identities women bring to astronomy, particularly women of color.
What are your goals as a part of the CSWA?
I am excited to help the CSWA implement the many impactful projects outlined in its strategic plan. As an early-career researcher, I am also committed to increasing engagement and involvement from other early career folks with the CSWA and the other working groups in the AAS.
AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of January 10, 2025
eds: Jeremy Bailin, Nicolle Zellner, Sethanne Howard, Ferah Munshi, and Hannah Jang-Condell
[We hope you all are taking care of yourselves and each other. Happy New Year!--eds.]
CSWA Sessions & Events at AAS National Harbor 2025
by Karly Pitman, CSWA Chair
We look forward to seeing you at the 245th American Astronomical Society meeting to be held January 12-16, 2025 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
CSWA will be hosting and co-hosting several events early in the week. Please come by to meet your CSWA representatives, network, and support the advancement of women in our field.
AAS and CWSA Meeting Schedule:
Sun. Jan. 12:
AAS Grad School & REU Fair
Prince George’s Exhibit Hall E
5:30-7:00 p.m. ET
Come hear about CSWA's strategic plan and current activities and how you can get involved with AAS at the CSWA table!
Mon. Jan. 13:
CSWA Hackathon - Take Action for Equity
Chesapeake 6
1:00-3:15 p.m. ET
The AAS Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy (CSWA) has recently authored several papers with recommendations by and for our community on ways to support gender equity and the success of women in astronomy. In this interactive, solutions-oriented session, attendees will choose from a menu of canonical and systemic problems facing women in our field (e.g., issues impacting employment pipeline and retention, compensation, two-body problem, workplace civility, barriers to power and leadership, etc.) and collaborate in real time to brainstorm practical and tactical solutions to address them. We all know what the problems are - what we need is dedicated time together to solve them. If you don’t have time to volunteer for a committee but want to effect change and take action, this is your opportunity.
Tue. Jan. 14:
1400 Degrees and AAS CSWA Networking Event at AAS245
(Offsite event at Rosa Mexicano, RSVP link below; 6:30-9:00 p.m. ET)
1400 Degrees is partnering with the American Astronomical Society’s Committee for the Status of Women in Astronomy for an evening networking and community-building event at the AAS245 meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, on January 14th, 2025. Connect over dinner and beverages with scientists from different institutions, career stages, and scientific sub-disciplines within physics and astronomy in a casual and comfortable environment. Feel free to share this invitation with your (21+) women and gender minority colleagues attending the AAS conference. Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP quickly. We hope to see you there!
AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of January 3, 2025
eds: Jeremy Bailin, Nicolle Zellner, Sethanne Howard, Hannah Jang-Condell, and Ferah Munshi
[We hope you all are taking care of yourselves and each other. --eds.]
On November 24, 2024, Emily Calandrelli, an aerospace engineer and popular science communicator, became the 100th woman to reach space. Calandrelli joined five other passengers on Blue Origin’s ninth space tourism flight. Blue Origin streamed the launch and Calandrelli’s reaction, which brought hundreds of supportive comments online, but Calandrelli also received some toxic and sexist comments disparaging her response.
Seeing our planet for the first time, a dream decades in the making.
You’re seeing so many emotions intertwined. Excitement, awe, and pride - but to be honest a little fear and confusion too. You just launched on a rocket and you’re seeing something you’ve never seen before… pic.twitter.com/HlL85ENshC
Calandrelli received degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of West Virginia. She then attended MIT and earned master’s degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics and Technology and Policy in 2013. Calandrelli also interned at NASA.
Since 2013, Calandrelli has worked as a science communicator, advocating for STEM education, particularly for girls, through various media. She is the host of Xploration Outer Space, part of Fox’s Xploration Station, which targets pre-teens and teens with mainly STEM-based programs. Calandrelli had already filmed YouTube videos with the engineering department at the University of West Virginia and had a growing online following as The Space Gal on her social media channels when Fox tapped her to host the program.
Calandrelli also pursued writing with Ada Lace, a STEM adventure series for kids. This six-book series follows 8-year-old Ada Lace as she uses science to solve problems. Calandrelli has also written a picture book, Reach For The Stars, and two science experiment books for kids.
In 2020, Calandrelli took her passion for STEM education a step further. She pitched the idea for a children’s science show to Netflix and the company picked up the show. Calandrelli, who was pregnant with her first child, got to choose whether she wanted to film the series pregnant or wait until after delivery. The science communicator took the opportunity to film the entire series of Emily’s Wonder Lab while 36 weeks pregnant.
In an interview with Parentaly, Calandrelli said, “On TV, you don’t usually see someone who is pregnant doing something other than being an expectant mother - or hiding it.” While the show wasn’t renewed for a second season, it still ranks high on Netflix’s list of shows.
Calandrelli has continued to support STEM education and careers for girls and women through her YouTube channel, recently launching Emily’s Science Lab, where she demonstrates science experiments for kids. Calandrelli also maintains active social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and Bluesky, where she reaches several million followers as The Space Gal.
When Calandrelli traveled past the Kármán line in November, fulfilling a long-held dream to travel to space, she posted her reactions online, despite the risk of all-too-familiar disparaging comments from internet trolls. Calandrelli posted on Instagram, “I refuse to give much time to the small men on the internet.” Instead, she continues to focus her efforts on advocating for STEM and space exploration for all, particularly for girls and women.
