Bob Baer is a staff member in the School of Physics and Applied Physics at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale where he directs public astronomy observations and provides technical research and instructional support. He leads TSE 2024 planning for SIU and enjoys working on Citizen Science based STEAM research and public engagement projects.

Matt Penn worked at five solar observatories during his 30 years of doing solar research, published lots of papers and mentored dozens of students. Now an engineer, Matt is excited to pursue his passion for astronomy as a hobby, after work, family, and yardwork chores are done!

Cori Brevik is an Associate Professor in the School of Physics and Applied Physics at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She divides her time between teaching physics and astronomy classes, participating in astronomy and physics education research, and leading study abroad trips to chase eclipses.  She is the Team Coordinator for the DEB Initiative, both recruiting and providing assistance to our teams located around the world.

Meriem Elyajouri is an astrophysicist specializing in the study of the interstellar medium using space telescopes such as JWST. She completed her PhD at the Observatoire de Paris and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI, MD, USA). Passionate about making science accessible, she leads outreach efforts through initiatives like SpaceBus Morocco and serves as the National Outreach Coordinator for the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Paulo Simões is a solar physicist with 20+ years of experience in solar flare studies using multi-wavelength data, from radio waves to gamma rays, and simulations. He is a professor at Mackenzie Presbyterian University (MPU, Brazil) and researcher at the Center for Radio Astronomy & Astrophysics Mackenzie (CRAAM)

Chris Mandrell is the project coordinator for the DEB Initiative through the STEM Education Research Center at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (SIUC), and a Ph.D. student in Applied Physics with the School of Physics and Applied physics at SIUC working on computational methods of collecting and analyzing data from laser spectroscopy and solar astrophotography

Bill Kloepping has degrees in math and physics (ABD) and is now retired from many years as a software and systems engineer at a defense contractor. I have an interest in astrophotography and have recently been actively participating in various occultation observations. I was a participant in the 2017 Citizen CATE project and am happy to be a member of the DEB Initiative team.

Dr. Jonathan Mangin was a member of the 2017 Citizen CATE project. An avid astronomy lover, he teaches high school science in his hometown of Brandenburg, KY. He and his teenage son Isaac enjoy building telescopes and fishing.

Hi, I’m Mike Conley, currently the President of the Salem, Oregon NightSky45 astronomy club. I’ve been involved in astrophotography since the 1970’s. More recently, I have been involved in Citizen Science projects centering around our sun and exoplanets. And I’m delighted to be a part of this Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast Initiative project!

Chris Midden, a Middle School Science teacher participated in the Citizen CATE Project, and is a regular volunteer with the SIUC Physics Department’s astronomy outreach. Also a member of the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois assists with public viewings and astronomical education for teachers, students and the general public.

Claude Plymate is a retired Engineering Physicist. He spent 36 years working in the field of Solar Astronomy at the National Solar Observatory McMath/Pierce Solar Telescope and the Big Bear Solar Observatory Goode Solar Telescope. Since retiring in 2021, Claude relocated to Bear Valley Springs near Tehachapi, CA.

 Richard Danley is an undergraduate physics research student who leads an astrophotography team on campus. He also led a DEB team during the TSE 2023.

Brodye Miller is an undergraduate student studying Quantitative Economics with a Minor in Math, Physics, and Finance set to graduate in Fall of 2026. He worked with NASA EDGE to globally stream the TSE24. He is currently acting as a deb team coordinator, producer of livestream events, and working on web design. 

P.s. That is my father in the front, Kevin Miller.

SIU Physics Major
New Undergraduate Research Students