KU physics & astronomy postdoc wins highly competitive NASA Hubble Prize Fellowship

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas researcher in physics & astronomy has won a highly competitive NASA Hubble Prize Fellowship, making her the first KU scientist to receive the prestigious award in its 36-year history.

Hayley Beltz, a postdoctoral researcher from St. Joseph, Michigan, won the fellowship, which was created to support promising postdoctoral scientists in their pursuit of independent research that contributes to NASA Astrophysics. The fellowship will financially support her research for the next three years.

Beltz was chosen for her research proposal to analyze the magnetic field of planets beyond our solar system — known as exoplanets. The fellowship will enable her to use data collected from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope to further her computer modeling of exoplanetary magnetic fields and their role in shaping planetary atmospheres.

Beltz said that even though these exoplanets are many light years away, they still can teach us a great deal about our own atmosphere.

“Learning about these other planets helps us understand the whole range of planet formation that can happen in our galaxy,” Beltz said. “And learning about magnetic fields is particularly important because magnetic fields are really important for earth and its life.”

Ian Crossfield, associate professor of physics & astronomy, and Beltz’s adviser, said the fellowship not only spoke highly of her work as a researcher but also is a testament to the quality of work being done throughout the department.

“We’re over the moon here at KU astronomy about Hayley’s award, and we’re excited to see what she does with it next,” Crossfield said.

Beltz, who came to KU in January, said the fellowship will enable her to model new types of planets, hire a summer research student, mentor undergraduates and travel to research conferences.

“I’m excited to bring it to KU and continue my next couple of years here,” she said. “I’ll get to focus on my science and really explore the things that are most interesting to me, which I feel really lucky to do.”