About Me

I am currently a National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate at the US Naval Research Laboratory, previously I was the CREST Executive Director of Education at Norfolk State University.

My research focuses on analyzing the physical behaviors of accreting neutron stars using radio telescopes. I recieved my PhD in Astrophysics and Astronomy from Michigan State University in 2023 and my Bachelor of Arts in physics from the City University of New York at Hunter College in 2018.

Please contact me at teresa.panurach.ctr (at) us (dot) navy (dot) mil.

Research & Publications

Accretion and astrophysical jets are ubiquitous processes in compact objects (e.g. black holes, neutron stars and white dwarfs). I am interested in using multi-wavelength observatories (especially radio telescopes!) to observe neutron stars with a diverse range of properties and enviroments to understand the coupling relationship between their accreetion and jet/outflows. Here is a link to all my publications on NASA ADS !

This section is still under construction!

Teaching

I believe all scientists have an ethical responsibility to mentor and teach the next generation of researchers. I have maintained a strong personal commitment to supporting students from various backgrounds and been managing multiple undergraduate research programs since graduate school.

In 2019, along with Profs. Laura Chomiuk, Jay Strader and I founded PAREDS ( Physics and Astronomy Research Experiences for Drew Scholars), which provides career guidence, professional development workshops, and paid research oppurtunities with Michigan State faculty and scientists for historically underrepresented astronomy undergraduates. At Norfolk State University, I was the executive director of two programs, NoVEL and CREST where I provided students with career and research guidence and administrative support. I have also recieved external funding from the Packard Foundation and the LSST Discovery Alliance Inclusive Collaboration for my education efforts.

As a graduate student, I was the teaching assitant to multiple large astronomy laboratory classes for non-majors, as well as a sophomore-level astronomy course for astronomy majors. At Norfolk State, I was the Society of Physics Students faculty advisor and the education cordinator for two physics courses, Advanced Laboratory (PHYS 339) and Physics Seminar (PHYS 241).

CV & Highlights

View my full curriculum vitae (updated July 2026)!

Education

  • Michigan State University, Ph.D. in Astrophysics and Astronomy (2023)
  • Michigan State University, M.S. in Astrophysics and Astronomy (2021)
  • City University of New York: Hunter College, B.A. in Physics (2018)

Employment

  • National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate, US Naval Research Laboratory (2026 - )
  • CREST Executive Director of Education, Norfolk State University (2025 - 2026)
  • NOVEL Consortium Executive Director, Norfolk State University (2023 - 2025)