Rachel Cionitti

Rachel Cionitti is a 2025-2029 Self Graduate Fellow from Olathe, KS, pursuing a Ph.D. in physics and astronomy. Rachel earned a B.S. in both physics and astronomy from KU in 2023, followed by an M.S. in physics from the University of Kansas City in 2025. Rachel has been involved in astronomical research since prior to her freshman year at KU. Rachel's research has included working on cosmological simulations to better understand the distribution of matter in the universe, machine learning applications in cosmology, and active galactic nuclei evolution to understand why the galaxies around us look as they do. Rachel's current work is under the supervision of Dr. Allison Kirkpatrick. Rachel is also a committed science communicator, and has given frequent public talks about astronomy, including an invited talk about cosmology as the keynote of the national Astronomical League meeting. Rachel strives to make progress in our understanding of the universe through studying active galactic nuclei and how they shape the galaxies we see in the sky. However, it is equally important to Rachel to continue outreach throughout her academic endeavors to ensure that space science belongs to, and reaches everyone. After completing her Ph.D., Rachel aspires to become an astronomy professor, to continue pushing the frontier of astronomical knowledge, and to train and encourage the next generation of astronomers.   

Mentor: Allison Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Associate Chair, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Physics and Astronomy.