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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 鈥�Black Holes, Galaxies and the Evolution of the Universe鈥� at the Science Complex Commons Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.

Urry鈥檚 visit is the program鈥檚 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鈥檚 faculty and her advocacy for women in STEM.

鈥淒r. Urry is an engaging speaker who brings a broad scientific and social perspective to her presentations,鈥� says Jennifer Scott, a professor in the Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences who recommended Urry as a speaker. 鈥淪he 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.鈥�

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鈥� understanding of black holes and how they are related to the formation and evolution of the host galaxy.

鈥淗er work has made major contributions to the understanding of the structure and evolution of active galaxies with supermassive black holes at their centers,鈥� Scott explains.

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

鈥淒r. Urry鈥檚 visit provides an opportunity for the whole campus to learn and celebrate science while spotlighting the career of a successful woman in STEM,鈥� 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. 

鈥淎ll participants should gain a greater scientific understanding and appreciation of the universe, but we also hope that Dr. Urry鈥檚 visit will invoke greater scientific curiosity and excitement for Towson University and the broader local community,鈥� Kautzman continues. 鈥淲e anticipate that her journey will empower other young scientists to pursue their own scientific careers.鈥�

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.

鈥淲e 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,鈥� Kautzman says. 鈥淲e have an insightful, intelligent and passionate group of scholars with representation from every department within the Fisher College of Science & Mathematics.

鈥淲e 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鈥� needs.鈥�

This April, the program will host Malika Grayson, author of 鈥淗ooded: A Black Girl鈥檚 Guide to the Ph.D.鈥�