4 Pasadena Scholars Selected for NASA Hubble Fellowship Program

Four Pasadena-based postdoctoral scholars, including two from Caltech and two from Carnegie Observatories, have been selected to join the prestigious NASA Hubble Fellowship Program to help shed light on some of the universe’s most puzzling questions, the agency announced Wednesday.

Twenty-four fellows from across the U.S. were named to the program, which is divided into three areas of research, NASA said in a written statement. The categories include Einstein Fellows, who ask “How does the universe work?” as well as Hubble Fellows, who research the question of “How did we get here?” and Sagan Fellows, who probe into the mystery: “Are we alone?”

Pradip Gatkine of Caltech has been named a Hubble Fellow, and Michael Grudic and Erika Holmbeck of Carnegie Observatories have been named Einstein Fellows, according to NASA. Jon Zink of Caltech joins the program as a Sagan Fellow.

“The program enables outstanding postdoctoral scientists to pursue independent research in any area of NASA Astrophysics, using theory, observation, experimentation or instrument,” the statement said. “Over 400 applicants vied for the fellowships. Each fellowship provides the awardee up to three years of support.”

NASA Director of Astrophysics Paul Hertz said he was excited to welcome the new fellows, who will begin their work in the fall.

“The annual selection of NASA Hubble Fellows always fills me with hope,” he said. “These outstanding young scientists are the future of astrophysics, and their impact on our understanding of the cosmos will be felt for decades to come”

More information, including a complete list of fellows and their proposed research topics, can be found online at nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2021/nasa-awards-postdoctoral-fellowships-for-2021.