Kim Hermann(1997)
College/Degrees
Pennsylvania State University, B.S. in Physics with an honors
degree, Minors in Mathematics and Computer Science, 4.0 GPA,
Schreyer Scholar Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 3.95 GPA
Employer/Job Title
Lowell Observatory, Postdoctoral Researcher
Accomplishments
Honors and Awards:
Senior Physics Award & Evan Pugh Senior Award (top 0.5%), 4/02
Evan Pugh Junior Award (top 0.5%) & First Place Physics Poster Award, 4/01
Irvin Kochel Award for Character, Scholarship, Leadership & Citizenship, 4/00
Publications and Copyrights:
* Herrmann, K.A., and Ciardullo, R. in prep (kinematic analysis, Paper III)
* Herrmann, K.A., and Ciardullo, R. in prep (kinematic analysis, Paper II)
* Herrmann, K.A., Ciardullo, R., and Sigurdsson, S., “Kinematic Evidence for Halo Substructure in Spiral Galaxies,” 2009,
Astrophysical Journal Letters, 693, L19
* Herrmann, K.A., Ciardullo, R., Feldmeier, J.J., and Vinciguerra, M., “Planetary Nebulae in Face-On Spiral Galaxies. I. Planetary
Nebula Photometry and Distances,” 2008, Astrophysical Journal, 683, 630
– Ciardullo, R., and Herrmann, K.A., “The Mass-to-Light Ratio of Spiral Disks,” 2007, Galaxies in the Local Volume, ed. B. Koribalski
and H. Jerjen, Springer Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, in press
* Kim’s Astronomy Riddles, Vol I, Copyright © Kimberly A. Herrmann, 2007
– Ciardullo, R., Durrell, P.R., Laychak, M.B., Herrmann, K.A., Moody, K., Jacoby, G.H., and Feldmeier, J.J., “The Planetary Nebula
System of M33,” 2004, Astrophysical Journal, 614, 167
* Kim’s Bird & Constellation Riddles, Vol I, Copyright © Kimberly A. Herrmann, 2003
Testimonial
Quite simply, PGSS was the critical impetus I needed to make me decide to become an astronomer. Up until then, Ienjoyed almost all subjects in school (science, math, English, foreign languages, creative writing, chorus, theatre…) and was somewhat leaning towards creative or journal writing or teaching. However, my first real scientific research experience of simulating gravitational lensing with the stems of wine glasses completely enthralled me. That summer is also when the movie “Contact” came out, which I saw in Pittsburgh while I was at PGSS. Like the character of Dr. Ellie Arroway in the movie, I was hooked.