IDATA Undergraduate Mentors

What is IDATA?
A new, three-year, National Science Foundation (NSF) project, IDATA, Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy, is the next leap from Skynet Junior Scholars in astronomy accessibility. While Skynet Junior Scholars allows diverse students (including those with sensory impairments) to use the Skynet telescope network to take astronomical images, IDATA goes a step further by recognizing that astronomical images begin as numbers on a spreadsheet.  IDATA participants will explore  non-visual ways to interact with and analyze astronomy data. Teams of undergraduate and graduate students, all within seventy-five miles of Yerkes Observatory, will work with national leaders to design and test online data processing software that can be used by anyone, regardless of visual ability.
My name is Tia Bertz and I am an IDATA undergraduate. I live in Marshfield, Wisconsin and I plan to go into mechanical engineering. I do a lot of 3D printing and 3D design projects for IDATA. I have worked with the Skynet robotic telescope network for many years.
I am Katya Gozman, a rising second year at the University of Chicago studying astrophysics. Originally, I am from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I have loved astronomy ever since I was a small child and in high school volunteered at a local community college's observatory, helping run telescopes and talking with the visitors during public viewing sessions. When offered to be an IDATA undergrad I was ecstatic and jumped at the chance to work on such a unique project that combines my love for both astronomy and outreach.

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​I am Chris Mathews, a journalism major at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. At first I wasn't too sure about being on a project full of physics majors and smart people. There are days when I question the decision to include me on the team, especially when the others start speaking physics, a language involving complicated numbers and ridiculously ridiculous concepts that break my brain. As it is, I work on accesiblizing things throughout the project. This means I put dots and funny lines on stuff so students with low vision can suffer through endless hours of homework just as equally as anybody else. After all, I am one of our 3 BVI undergraduates. My role consists mostly of self deprecation and running into every conceivable obstacle placed around the observatory. Occasionally, I actually attempt to provide useful feedback as we plan lessons, learn photometry, and try to better understand what it is we are working towards and what IDATA means.
Hello, my name is Kendall Mehling and I am a rising second year at the University of Chicago as a prospective physics and math major. I come from Cleveland, Tennessee and my interests consist of reading, playing videogames, and biking around town. I am excited to be here in Wisconsin working on the IDATA project. The unique experience of working on science education, especially while working alongside blind and visually impaired students interests me. I thoroughly enjoy working in a classroom environment and I look forward to aiding along the way in the IDATA program. I love to meet new people, so if you see me around feel free to introduce yourself so that you can get to know more about me!
I am Andrea Salazar, a second year at the University of Chicago studying Astrophysics and Russian. Someday, I hope to step foot on Mars. On top of IDATA, this summer I will begin flight school in my hometown of San Antonio, TX. Though I love science and astronomy, theatre and the arts are also a huge passion of mine and have been since I was young. Because of this, I love meeting new people and learning new things. Being a part of the IDATA team has been an amazing experience, and I’m so excited to continue the process.

​My name is Ben Shafer, and I am an Undergraduate Mentor for the three-year IDATA program. I grew up in southwestern Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. As a rising second year at the University of Chicago, I plan to major in the geophysical sciences to study geology, archaeology, and environmental sciences.
My name is Alex Traub. I'm majoring in computer science, at the University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee. As a visually impaired person, who's wanted to learn about astronomy for years, IDATA is such an appealing project, and I'm looking forward to working on it the next 3 years.
My name is Sophia Vlahakis, and I am a second year undergraduate physics student at the University of Chicago. I am a big fan of science fiction and hope to one day become involved in space exploration. I also love working with kids and during the school year I participate in a tutoring program, teaching students of all ages math, science, and literacy skills. I have always loved science and astronomy, and am excited to be a part of a project that can make this more accessible to everyone.