Meet Central American-Caribbean Astronomy Bridge Program Fellows - Part 5

The Central American - Caribbean Bridge in Astrophysics (Cenca Bridge) is a nonprofit organization established in the state of Tennessee in the United States with the mission to create and develop astronomy research opportunities in Central America and the Caribbean. Opportunities to pursue astrophysics in the region are few with only a handful of programs offering master’s in physics with a concentration in astronomy. Cenca Bridge connects undergraduates from Central America and the Caribbean to mentors and advisors overseas in hope that they have the choice to pursue astrophysics as a profession. Every year, Cenca Bridge holds the remote internship program, where undergraduate students from the region apply to be selected for a 3-month-long paid research internship. As the only organization to provide a paid research remote internship, it is important to highlight the contributions that many women in astrophysics from Central America and the Caribbean have already contributed to our field.

In this series, we will highlight selected fellows. If you'd like to learn more about the program and ways you can get involved, please visit https://cencabridgeastro.weebly.com/.

My name is Kaylan-Marie Achong and I grew up in Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago. The expansive history and culture of my twin-island state have deeply influenced my outlook on life and have greatly influenced my love for astronomy. I am a recent graduate from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, with a BSc in Physics & Mathematics, and I have just started my PhD in Astronomy at UW-Madison. Although astronomy is not as popular back home as it is in the US, I have always felt a deep sense of joy in my academic pursuit of the field. 

Growing up, I enjoyed learning and being (sometimes overly) curious about everything around me. I think that initial drive is what helped me to define that I wanted to remain in a field where I could always continue learning. 

How did you first become interested in astronomy or planetary science ? 

Behind my house, there was a wide expanse of bush known as the rice paddy fields, or land, my ancestors once worked to make a living. With no street lights, the night sky stretched clearly overhead. Even without a telescope, I could spent time watching Orion move steadily across my part of the sky each year, and noticing how planets like Venus and Mars appeared and disappeared over time.
Those early experiences sparked a sense of wonder that drew me toward astronomy.
Today, as I pursue this path, I carry a strong sense of gratitude and purpose. I hope to use that position to inspire and uplift other women from the Caribbean, showing that a career in science is not out of reach, even if it may seem that way at first.

What are your aspirations? 

I really love astrobiology. I hope to build a career in research within it to continue our understanding of how chemical and environmental conditions could support life. At the same time, I think that science is something people should feel connected to, not excluded from. As such, I hope that I can share that excitement through science outreach, connecting with others and making science more approachable and engaging to communities that would not have easy access to fields like this. 

What are you currently working on ? 

Currently, I work in a lab focusing heavily on prebiotic chemistry. The overall goal of my research is in trying to understand how certain chemicals, prevalent in early Earth, might have influenced the origin of life. My work right now is in its preliminary stages, but I hope to be able to publish my first paper soon.

What else is important to you and how do you make time for it?

I think this is such an important question, especially when I think about how busy life in graduate school is. I really care about community outreach. I make a conscious effort to stay involved by supporting and participating in club and department events that promote engagement beyond academia. 

What community issues are important to you and why? 

I feel very deeply for the inclusion of Women in STEM. Although the Caribbean has advanced tremendously, and I am grateful to the guidance my country has offered me during my academic career, I think that there are still a lot of issues our region has to tackle. 

When I think about my grandmother, that stopped school at ~13, I recognize the privilege that I have to attend graduate school in a foreign country. It is with privilege that I recognize that although, in my case, my grandmother’s case was 2 generations ago, there are still many young women in the region that are not able to pursue their dreams due to cultural pressures. I hope that throughout the course of my career I am able to make a positive impact in this regard. 

What are your near-future plans? 

Well, I just adopted a kitten (her name is Sweet Pea), so my near-future plans are to train her to stop trying to eat my plants...ha-ha! 

Additionally, I hope to make it through graduate school successfully and continue in the wonderful multidisciplinary field of astrobiology. 

iPoster at 241st AAS meeting (Seattle, WA)

Fort Milfort, Tobago