Michael Castelaz, Astronomer

Mike Castelaz earned his Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Wyoming in 1984.  Since then he has been a staff scientist for NASA, a staff astronomer for the Allegheny Observatory of the University of Pittsburgh, a university professor, and now a radio and optical observatory astronomer at PARI.  His most recent research has been Hubble Space Telescope observations of the central stars of very young objects in the Orion Nebula.  Hi s other research pursuits include the nature of the interstellar medium, the atmospheres of cool stars, and dynamics of eclipsing binary stars.  As we move into this summer, he is beginning a new adventure studying extreme scattering events, working on a team developing the 26-m radio telescopes into an interferometer.  Mike's research has always been done with many collaborators, including high school and undergraduate students, and he is looking forward to continuing this research with the Duke TIP interns.

Christi Whitworth, Science Educator

Christi Whitworth earned her Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee Technological University in 1995.  She has served as a teacher of the gifted and as a middle school science teacher in Tennessee.  She then began her career as an informal science teacher in Texas working in a children’s science museum and a zoo.  Since 2006, Christi began working at PARI as a science educator.  She maintains and creates programming for PARI’s StarLab, Evening at PARI public programs, and other educational outreach programs.  She enjoys working with all ages of students.

Evan Ronken, Group Leader

Evan Ronken is a Social Studies Teacher and Gifted and Talented Coordinator at Buffalo High School in Buffalo, Minnesota.  He earned his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and History from the University of Minnesota-Morris, and a Master’s in Teaching and Learning from Saint Mary’s University.  Evan worked as Group Leader for last year’s program at PARI, and has worked as a TA for other Duke TIP Programs.  Outside of education, he enjoys traveling, having spent extensive time in Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Europe, and over 30 states.  He looks forward to working with the PARI staff and all of the students at this year’s program.