Meet the Team

Brian is a planetary astronomer and the principal investigator for CIDSRSN. He likes reading sci-fi, running, and playing classical guitar. 

You can read more about his research on his website – astrojack.com/.

Jan has spent the last 10 years as an Associate Clinical Professor at Boise State helping to educate the next generation of STEM teachers.  Jan previously taught for 21 years in public schools, and uses this experience to guide future teachers.

After years working as a geologist and high school science teacher, Matt has been preparing secondary science teachers as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Boise State’s STEM education program. He also helps provide support and professional development to inservice science teachers.

Carol Cole is currently President of the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, a non-profit that coordinates efforts to protect the night sky within the Central Idaho Darky Sky Reserve. Her work with the Reserve started in 2015 as the Forest Service Representative on the planning team. Carol has over 30 years of experience working for the Forest Service, National Park Service and other parks and natural resource organizations. Her work in environmental education and interpretation, partnership and volunteer coordination and public outreach is centered on a passion for connecting people with the natural environment.

Kaitlyn’s degree is in Anthropology but after college found her love and passion for marketing and event planning. She enjoys hiking with her dogs, trying new restaurants with her hubby and learning all about Astronomy.

Rachel is the Postdoctoral Research Fellow for CIDSRSN, splitting her time between outreach events, teaching, and exoplanetary research. Rachel’s love of astronomy began during her undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University, and her passion for public outreach was cemented during her time working as a Public Program Educator at the Lowell Observatory.

Jackie Westman is currently a senior at Boise State University, majoring in Astrophysics and minoring in Applied Mathematics. She grew up in rural Montana and Idaho, where her greatest form of entertainment were the dark skies above her. Her future plans include attending graduate school while working at an observatory, working to protect the dark skies from her childhood, and one day publishing a book focused on astronomy. In her free time she can be found working on her 1995 Mazda Miata project car, biking around local neighborhoods, or reading in the sun.

I’m Robin Matson, and I use they/them pronouns. I recently switched my major from Illustration to Astrophysics. I’m fascinated with the way we can look at the stars to understand our place in the universe- and I love sharing that knowledge with others.

Chandler is currently in her second year of undergrad at Boise State. She is majoring in Physics with an emphasis in Astrophysics and Secondary Education. She absolutely loves anything space-related and has a passion for sharing that information with the public. Her favorite things to do when she isn’t doing outreach is to stargaze, listen to a wide variety of music, and play with her three dogs.

I am a second semester junior physics major with an emphasis in astrophysics. I enjoy astronomy and look forward to sharing with others that excitement.

Addison Hobson is an undergraduate physics major with an astrophysics emphasis. Originally from southeast Idaho, Addie enjoys art museums and architecture. Her favorite hobby is traveling and she is interested in research.

Hi, my name is Emmanuel, I’m a freshman at BSU, majoring in physics with an emphasis on astrophysics. I’m from Ecuador, and I like to read and bike.

My name is Adrienne Kirk and I am from Boise. I am a runner and skier. I also love to cook and bake!

Joel Weisberg retired 4 years ago from teaching Physics and Astronomy and Science Policy at Carleton College in Minnesota.  He is a lifelong stargazer who loves sharing the skies with others.  

See his website for more details: https://people.carleton.edu/~jweisber/joelhome.html

Lindsay DeMarchi is a stellar mortician who specializes in cosmic death throes and supernovae. She is a multitool of radiative processes across the entire electromagnetic spectrum and gravitational waves. She is particularly passionate about light pollution and satellite constellations and emphasizes the cultural and personal connections each individual has to the night sky.