Auburn postdoc wins Space Telescope grant to revive the search for sulfur in planetary formation

John Noonan, a postdoctoral researcher in the Bodewits research group in the Department of Physics, is the Principal Investigator of a $493,072 grant from the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, or AURA, to analyze over 1,500 observations of comets and to create an open-source tool to help answer the question of what happens to sulfur in the planetary formation process.

“In comet atmospheres sulfur emissions appear quite strong” said Noonan. “Yet, there are only six sulfur bearing molecules that have been detected in molecular clouds and only five seen in protoplanetary disks. So the big question is, where is all the sulfur in comets coming from?”

25th Anniversary Summer Bridge Program Alumni Spotlight: How Abbrianna Robert’s Summer Bridge experience helped her discover a passion for healthcare

Abbrianna Robert did not have to travel far to attend Auburn University as a freshman in 2017. Originally from New York City, Robert moved to Phenix City with her family when she was in middle school and later graduated from Central High School. The summer after high school graduation, she completed the STEM Summer Bridge Program in COSAM.

In celebration of this year’s 25^th anniversary of Summer Bridge, Robert reflected on her experience in the four-week program that provides incoming freshmen from historically underrepresented groups majoring in STEM fields with academic and social support to excel within COSAM’s rigorous curriculum.

Message from President Roberts

Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts offers a special message for faculty and staff regarding the recent SACSCOC on-site review and two upcoming searches involving key leadership roles on campus. 

View previous issues of COSAM Today.

We want to hear from you! Share your good news with us.

COSAM Today is published by COSAM's Office of Communications and Marketing. Questions? Send an email to mcg0052@auburn.edu.