Maria Vincent

I am a PhD candidate at the Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii at Manoa. My research concentrates on adaptive optics and high-contrast imaging science and instrumentation with ground-based telescopes. Driven by a fascination with planet formation and the intricate processes shaping our Solar System, a part of my thesis involves the direct imaging of circumstellar disks. I utilize the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics suite to observe and study morphological features of protoplanetary disks in near-infrared wavelengths to understand disk structure and processes governing planet formation. On the instrumentation side, I am building an optical testbed to test and characterize a new deformable mirror, as part of the upcoming High-order Advanced Keck Adaptive Optics upgrade.

Beyond research, I am actively involved in public outreach and regularly give talks in schools worldwide on different astronomy topics. I am from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and graduated magna cum laude with the highest departmental honors in Geophysics and Astrophysics from the University of California, Los Angeles. Outside of astronomy, my interests include blogging, mysteries, historical and science fiction literature and cinemedia, photography, hiking, and travel.

You can learn more about me here.