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Astronomy Graduate Student Receives P.E.O. Scholar Award

April 16, 2012

Astronomy Graduate Student Receives P.E.O. Scholar Award

Courtney Epstein, a PhD candidate in astronomy, has received the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Scholar award. The P.E.O. is a sisterhood of “women helping women reach for the stars,” literally in this case.

Epstein studies the chemical evolution of the Milky Way Galaxy using a new technique, called asteroseismology, to measure more precise ages of stars. Epstein's graduate advisor is Astronomy Associate Professor Jennifer Johnson.

The P.E.O. Scholar Awards program established in 1991, provides educational awards for women in the United States and Canada who are working on doctoral degrees. The organization chose 85 P.E.O. scholars from 571 applicants for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Epstein intends to share her good fortune with other Ohio State students and the community by creating and presenting a new planetarium show next fall.

Additionally, she plans to use this award for travel to conferences around the globe to present her research.

Epstein was nominated by the P.E.O. Chapter Z in Arizona.

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