Meet Andreia “Dreia” Carrillo:
1) What do you do?
My research focuses on stellar populations outside our Local Group (consisting of Milky Way and Andromeda), specifically on dwarf galaxies. They get “cannibalized” by their bigger parent galaxy and studying them would tell us a lot about the diversity of stars, their compositions, where they could have originated, and what processes led them where they are.
2) Where do you work?
I do research at the Department of Astronomy in University of Michigan. I’m a mere undergrad but I will be taking up my PhD in Astronomy this coming fall in University of Texas, Austin.
3) Tell us about the photos!
[Top:] Me with my research advisor Eric Bell in the 2016 Undergraduate Poster Session. This is one of my favorite events of the year because I get to see what my friends do for research as well! Also, this is my only picture with Eric and that doesn’t give justice to how much I have valued his mentorship both in being a researcher and an educator. Because of him, I have been inspired to impart as much enthusiasm as I have for astronomy to my future students.
[Bottom:] This is undoubtedly one of my favorite classes in Michigan. I got to stay in Kitt Peak for a month to do research and to know more about ground-based observatories. We took this picture during our last day of classes (picture credit: Sally Oey) :)
4) Tell us about your academic career path so far.
Elementary (Grades 1-3): Montessori School of Immaculate Conception, Baliuag, Bulacan
Elementary (Grades 4-6): Saint Theresa’s College, Quezon City
High School: Philippine Science High School, Diliman, Quezon City
BS Astronomy & Astrophysics and Interdisciplinary Physics: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
PhD in Astronomy:* University of Texas at Austin
*incoming for Fall 2016
5) Anything else you want to share?
To anyone taking the Physics GRE for Astrophysics/Physics PhD (or any standardized test for that matter), remember – you are more than just your score. The GRE has stressed me out so much during my application process and after getting my dismal score, I even contemplated not applying to grad school. But the good graduate schools you would want to be part of would look past what a score is supposed to say about you. I’m lucky that my future advisor, Shardha Jogee, understands my background, accomplishments, and advocacies and I’m very excited to work with her in UT!
P.S. I will miss the snow in Michigan.
