TU Hill-Lopes Scholars Program hosts Yale astrophysicist for discussion on black holes, galaxies

By Rebecca Kirkman on October 19, 2021

The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program and the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University welcome Meg Urry, director of the Yale Center for Astronomy & Astrophysics, for “Black Holes, Galaxies and the Evolution of the Universe” at the Science Complex Commons Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.

Urry’s visit is the program’s second major event since launching in 2019 and will be open to the entire campus community. To RSVP, visit the event page. Last fall, the program virtually hosted Rita Colwell, the first woman to helm the National Science Foundation.

Urry, who earned her doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, will discuss her internationally known research on black holes and active galaxies. At a separate discussion after the event, scholars will have the opportunity to ask Urry about her career journey as the first female, tenure-track physicist to join Yale’s faculty and her advocacy for women in STEM.

“Dr. Urry is an engaging speaker who brings a broad scientific and social perspective to her presentations,” says Jennifer Scott, a professor in the Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences who recommended Urry as a speaker. “She makes good use of storytelling and humor, and she has a lot of experience speaking and writing for general audiences in addition to scientific colleagues.”

Before joining Yale in 2001, Urry served as senior astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which runs the Hubble Space Telescope for NASA. There, her work has helped explain and improve scientists’ understanding of black holes and how they are related to the formation and evolution of the host galaxy.

“Her work has made major contributions to the understanding of the structure and evolution of active galaxies with supermassive black holes at their centers,” Scott explains.

Bringing in speakers like Urry supports the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program’s mission and devotion to the advancement of science through research, as well as Towson University’s role as a leading scientific institute.

“Dr. Urry’s visit provides an opportunity for the whole campus to learn and celebrate science while spotlighting the career of a successful woman in STEM,” says Beth Kautzman, an associate professor of chemistry and one of three faculty leaders for the Hill-Lopes Scholars Program, along with Cindy Ghent and Peko Tsuji. 

“All participants should gain a greater scientific understanding and appreciation of the universe, but we also hope that Dr. Urry’s visit will invoke greater scientific curiosity and excitement for Towson University and the broader local community,” Kautzman continues. “We anticipate that her journey will empower other young scientists to pursue their own scientific careers.”

The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program was founded with a generous donation from Barbara Hill and Ancelmo Lopes. The couple has a mission to make science an exciting and welcoming field for underrepresented students.

Scholars participate in the program for up to three years, beginning in their sophomore year. The Hill-Lopes Scholars Program provides funding for conferences and hosts and facilitates monthly professional development meetings.

The program currently has three cohorts.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity and trust that Barbara Hill and Ancelmo Lopes have provided as we have created and continue to cultivate this program,” Kautzman says. “We have an insightful, intelligent and passionate group of scholars with representation from every department within the Fisher College of Science & Mathematics.

“We are eager to see how our scholars continue to grow and persevere, see what research opportunities and STEM careers they will pursue and watch our program continue to develop and grow in support of the scholars’ needs.”

This April, the program will host Malika Grayson, author of “Hooded: A Black Girl’s Guide to the Ph.D.”