The 2025-2026 Carl S. Marvel Scholar: Katherine Gold
Congratulations to Katherine Gold, who was selected as the 2025-2026 Carl S. Marvel Scholar!
Katherine (Kate) Gold is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in physical chemistry at the University of Arizona, specializing in astrochemistry—the study of chemistry in interstellar space—under the mentorship of Prof. Lucy Ziurys. Her dissertation research focuses on the molecular composition of protoplanetary and planetary nebulae, the final evolutionary stage of most stars. She uses radio telescopes to detect rotational spectra of gas-phase molecules towards these nebulae, where she has found various small organic molecules including formaldehyde (H2CO) and cyclopropenylidene (c-C3H2, the smallest cyclic molecule). Such findings are quite surprising, as a nebula’s central star emits intense ultraviolet radiation, which has been thought to destroy molecules. She has also detected H2S for the first time in a planetary nebula, hinting at planetary nebulae as a sink of sulfur-bearing molecules. Other results include striking heavy sulfur isotope enrichment in several protoplanetary nebulae, hinting towards neutron capture on sulfur during the thermal pulsing asymptotic giant branch phase of stellar evolution. Kate’s work is generating a new perspective concerning the chemistry of protoplanetary nebulae and planetary nebulae. A Bryn Mawr College alumna (bachelor’s in mathematics in 2021, magna cum laude), Kate is committed to science, outreach, and actively engaging with the academic community. Among other activities, she serves as a co-organizer for the ACS AstroCheminar series, the Professional Development Chair for PAWS at the University of Arizona, the Data Science Ambassador for the College of Science, and a member of the CBC Graduate Student Council. In these roles, Kate has organized a variety of events to empower others and foster professional growth. After completing her degree, she intends to become a postdoctoral scholar, and ultimately lead an observational astrochemistry research group.