Out of This World

North Allegheny alum Julia Fancher named a 2024-25 Astronaut Scholar.

North Allegheny alum Julia Fancher—a junior at Syracuse University majoring in physics and mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program—was named a 2024-25 Astronaut Scholar by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).

This prestigious honor recognizes her exceptional achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research and her commitment to advancing the field of astrophysics.

Founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts, ASF awards scholarships to top students in their junior or senior years in college who are pursuing degrees in a STEM field. These scholars demonstrate initiative, creativity and excellence, with aspirations to contribute significantly to research and innovation.

The Astronaut Scholarship provides up to $15,000 toward educational expenses, a paid trip to the ASF Innovators Week and Gala in Houston, and lifelong engagement with astronauts, industry leaders and esteemed researchers. Julia worked closely with her university’s Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) to apply for the award.

“Julia’s commitment to research in astrophysics since her first semester at Syracuse, combined with her extraordinary publication and presentation record, make her a superb fit for the Astronaut Scholarship,” says CFSA Director Jolynn Parker. “We’re thrilled that she’ll benefit from the program’s tuition support and excellent mentorship opportunities.”

Julia sparked an interest in astrophysics in middle school when her aunt gifted her “Rise of the Rocket Girls” by Nathalia Holt. Inspired by the pioneering women in space science, she pursued research opportunities early in her academic career. Since her first semester at Syracuse, she has been a key member of the high-energy astrophysics lab under assistant professor Eric Coughlin.

Her research focuses on tidal disruption events (TDEs), astrophysical transients that occur when a star is destroyed by the gravitational forces of a black hole. Using numerical simulations and analytical models, she has overturned previously held convictions about shock dynamics in TDEs and demonstrated the importance of self-gravity in stellar debris behavior.

Her findings, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society in December 2023, contribute significantly to our understanding of galactic centers and black hole interactions.

“I think it’s really cool to be able to learn about stars and black holes millions of light years away from the work I’m doing on my laptop, and it’s an amazing feeling to be able to use my education from NA and Syracuse in recognized scientific research,” says Julia.

Julia is also a 2024 Goldwater Scholar—a testament to her exceptional research contributions. She has presented her work at major conferences, including the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society, where she was a finalist in the Chambliss poster competition. Additionally, she has authored and co-authored papers in high-impact journals including The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Beyond research, Julia is committed to mentoring aspiring scientists. She supports high school students through the Syracuse University Research in Physics (SURPh) program and the Society of Physics Students. She also volunteers with Friends of Inkululeko, mentoring students in South Africa.

“I want to ensure that students from a variety of backgrounds have the opportunity to explore their interests and are encouraged to pursue careers in STEM like I was,” she says.

Julia plans to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics with a focus on computational and analytical modeling. “I aim to build my own astrophysics lab focusing on discovering mechanisms behind astrophysical transients,” she explains.

“The mentoring that the ASF provides will be invaluable as I work toward a career in research, and I am excited to meet the other scholars in my cohort. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join this community.”

ASF, founded in 1984, has awarded over $9 million in scholarships to more than 800 students, fostering the next generation of STEM leaders. Julia’s selection as an Astronaut Scholar places her among the brightest minds in the field, reinforcing her path toward groundbreaking discoveries in astrophysics.