Group Alumni

After defending their PhD theses, researchers cut their teeth in the field by working as postdoctoral researchers here at Caltech. By collaborating with more experienced researchers, they are able to gain valuable insights that will help them later in their scientific careers.

Once they gain enough experience, however, they may make their way out into the world to continue their expanded study. Below are a collection of our former Postdocs who have since progressed in their careers, some of them even staying in the Caltech/JPL family!

After acquiring their undergraduate degrees, individuals undertake a rigorous application process to continue their education here at Caltech, working to attain an advanced degree in their field (B.S., PhD, etc.).

These students take advanced classes while working alongside our research faculty, staff, and postdoctorate researchers in order to acquire advanced knowledge and research skills in a professional setting.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program is one of the "crown jewels" of Caltech. Since 1979, SURF students have had the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of experienced mentors working at the frontier of their fields.

Caltech's WAVE Fellows program aims to foster diversity by increasing the participation of underrepresented students in science and engineering Ph.D. programs and making Caltech's programs more visible and accessible to students not traditionally exposed to Caltech.

The Summer Research Connection (SRC) is a 6-week program for K-12 science teachers and high school students. Participants are placed in research labs at Caltech where they conduct scientific research in assigned student-teacher teams under the guidance of research mentors.

Below is a collection of our former SURF students, WAVE fellows, and SRC participants!

_{Right: Postdoc Marianne Heida brings a group of SURF and WAVE students to the Palomar Observatory.}