Emma M. Louden is a first-year graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in astrophysics at Yale University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Princeton University in 2020 with minors in Planets and Life and Latin American Studies and is a member of Sigma Xi. Emma is passionate about using the advancement of human knowledge of other planets to spark passion to protect and conserve our own planet.

Originally from Utah, she fell in love with space as a little girl looking up at the stars in her backyard and watching the film Race to Space. Her passion grew and was eventually paired with a love for physics and astronomy. Emma’s interests revolve around exoplanetary research, space policy, and international collaboration in space exploration. 

As a Brooke Owens Fellow, Emma worked at Bryce Space and Technology doing aerospace analytics. She co-founded the Ask-A-Brookie Program and has served as a Teaching Assistant and Mentor for the Summer Science Program. She can be found on Twitter @exoplanet_emma.