2022 GMiS Luminary Honorees

Dr. Carlos Vargas is a rising star in the field of astronomy.  His research centers on ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and related techniques used to learn how stars and galaxies form and evolve.  He holds a dual role as both professional astronomer at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory, and a professor tasked with educating and inspiring the next generation of explorers in U of A’s astronomy department, where he was promoted to faculty member in 2021.

Young Carlos was born and raised in Puerto Rico but moved to New Jersey to attend high school. Like so many students from underserved communities, he entered college behind in the many math and science courses he would need to pursue astronomy. He credits committed professors both in high school and at Rutgers University for exposing him to opportunities in STEM and motivating him to pursue graduate school across the country at New Mexico State University.

As a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Arizona, Dr. Vargas became the youngest person ever selected to be the principal investigator for a NASA mission when he helped conceive and propose the Aspera mission. He and his team are now funded at the $40M level to build, launch, and operate the satellite mission, a project that holds tremendous potential to benefit his students as well.

Inspired by his own experiences, Dr. Vargas founded a micro-grants program funded by the American Institute of Physics to help members of underrepresented groups aspiring to be space scientists navigate the daunting world of academic research funding.