Valentina Bonilla Villalobos awaded 2025 AWIS Kirsten R Loretzen Scholarship

About the Recipient

Zone and Chapter: University of North Florida, Zone 6

I am an international student from Colombia entering my third year at the University of North Florida, where I am majoring in Physics with a concentration in Astrophysics and minoring in Mathematical Science. Since my first semester, I have been actively involved on campus through organizations such as the Society of Physics Students (SPS), the Astronomy Club, and the Honors Student Union.

During the 2024–2025 academic year, I served on the board of the Astronomy Club, helping organize astronomy nights for the local community. These events featured guest speakers on current astronomy topics and provided opportunities for public stargazing. In Fall 2024, I became Vice President of the Honors Student Union, where I have worked to plan professional development and community-building events. Most recently, I joined the SPS board as Secretary after several semesters as a member, where I regularly assisted with events. I’m excited to continue contributing to the physics community through this role.

Since my freshman year, I have been involved in undergraduate research focused on identifying Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) and analyzing their spectroscopic features. I have presented my work at several conferences, including meetings of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Astrophysics and Cosmology and hope to conduct research at a national laboratory in the future.