Physics & Astronomy Student & Research Assistant, Society of Physics Students Outreach (UTSA)

Lizette Rodriguez is currently a third-year student at UTSA, majoring in physics with a minor in astronomy. She conducts research in planetary nebulae, with her latest focus on utilizing the Chandra X-ray Telescope to perform computational astrophysics on observation NGC6543, also known as the Cat's Eye Nebula. Her primary job is to determine how to best use a clustering algorithm called DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) to analyze high-energy X-rays emitted from the Cat’s Eye Nebula.

In the past, she has participated in other research involving astrophysical radio applications, which include using instrumentation such as antennas and SDRs to better understand phenomena like interference. This experience has allowed her to apply her expertise to a student-led NASA initiative program named CubeSat. This unique operation was a collaboration between multiple student organizations, one of which she currently serves as an officer.

In her spare time, aside from research, she volunteers for outreach with SPS (Society of Physics Students), educating people on the importance of astronomy!