Maëlle is going into her fourth year at UofT as an Astronomy and Physics specialist with a minor in mathematics. Her current research focuses on galaxy kinematics and evolution however she is also interested in accretion physics and plasma processes near black holes. She’s also passionate about environmental preservation, and as such, is merging her interests by working on a side project to quantify satellite pollution in astronomical images. Outside of academics she enjoys hiking, reading and playing roller derby!
What made you decide to participate in SURP?
I joined SURP because it offered the chance to work on a project I’d been interested in for a long time! I had read many of the background papers and now I get to investigate the questions that first came to mind. Beyond that, it felt like a great opportunity to engage with other students’ research, attend seminars on a wide range of topics, and build skills like presenting and science communication.
What is your favourite thing about SURP?
My favourite part of SURP has been being exposed to such a wide range of exciting research. Events like the SURP Jamboree let us hear about other students’ projects, while group meetings offer insight into the work of graduate students, postdocs, and professors. It’s been a great way to explore new topics that might inspire future research topics!
Can you tell us about your research project?
My project explores how stellar bars influence gas inflow and star formation in disk galaxies. Strong bars are known to funnel gas toward the galaxy centre, which can either trigger starbursts or heat the gas, both of which suppress star formation and lead to quenching. However, the role of weaker bars remains unclear. We’re analyzing spectroscopic data from 18 galaxies, including strong, weak, and unbarred systems, to assess how bar strength impacts gas dynamics. Our goal is to determine whether weak bars drive inflows in as effectively as strong bars, and how that affects galaxy evolution.
Can you explain how SURP has been different from your undergrad work?
SURP has been a very different experience from my previous undergraduate research, as it offers more than just the chance to work on a project. Unlike past roles that focused solely on individual research, SURP is part of a larger program where I get to connect with other students, learn about their work, and share the experience of growing as researchers together.
What are your plans for the future?
In the future, I plan to pursue graduate studies in astronomy. I’m especially excited by the opportunity to continue research in this field, and ideally I would live and study abroad at some point.
The Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto is an endowed research institute with over 80 faculty, postdocs, students, and staff, dedicated to innovative technology, ground-breaking research, world-class training, and public engagement.
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