Niyati wins 1st place in the 3 Minute Thesis Competition.
"Meet the Goldiloxs!"
Read Article Watch VideoNiyati Desai
Background
I'm curently a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. My research in the Exoplanet Science and Discovery group focuses on astronomical instrumentation. Read more about my research here.
I earned my PhD from Caltech in 2024 in the Exoplanet Technology Lab, advised by Professor Dimitri Mawet. You can check out this cartoon version of my PhD thesis!
I received my Masters in Aerospace Engineering from the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories at the Caltech in 2020 and before that a double Bachelors of Science in Physics and in Aerospace Engineering from M.I.T. in 2019. I am originally from Long Island, New York where I grew to love Star Trek, drawing, and playing soccer--three pastimes which I still enjoy very much!.
I enjoy volunteering through public outreach talks and panels with the Keck Institute for Space Studies and with Caltech Astronomy Outreach. To read a general introduction to coronagraphy check out Coronagraphy 101.
Highlights
New Keck Institute for Space Studies Student Liason
Niyati was named a KISS Affiliate in 2021. Recently she was chosen as the official Student Liason and hosts the Keck Lectures. Check out the event series for upcoming public talks!
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STEM Youth Outreach
I enjoy volunteer mentoring, tutoring, and camp counseloring young kids to inspire them for future careers in STEM.
Astronomy Outreach
My favorite outreach efforts are public talks, panels and telescope stargazing with the general public through Caltech Astronomy.
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