Austin Community College District (ACC) Physics major Joshua S. is turning his passion for astrophysics into research opportunities, science advocacy, and national leadership experiences.
As an Honors Program student, Joshua’s main focus is on astrophysics, and he currently conducts research at Texas State University studying protoplanetary disks — rings of material left behind around young stars after star formation. This summer, he will continue expanding his research experience through a prestigious NSF-sponsored summer program at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he’ll study how space weather interacts with Earth’s atmosphere.
Joshua also recently began an environmental research co-op through ACC, continuing to build hands-on experience across multiple scientific fields.
Outside of research, Joshua is a strong advocate for science education and public engagement. He serves as the first-ever community college student ambassador for the American Physical Society (APS), one of the nation’s leading professional organizations for physicists.
Through APS, Joshua recently attended the Global Physics Summit and traveled to Washington to speak directly with congressional representatives and senators about protecting funding for science and education.
Joshua’s growing research and advocacy work highlights the opportunities available to ACC students pursuing careers in science, technology, and research.
To learn more about the ACC Honors Program and how to get involved, visitaustincc.edu/honors.
For more information about the Physics Program, visit austincc.edu/physics.