Dr. Suchitra Balachandran, at the University of Maryland, will continue a program to determine chemical abundances of stellar atmospheres in stars in the Galactic Center. The work involves the measurement of new different elements, and extends the previous work to fainter stars, for the purpose of studying older stellar populations. This study will also be extended into the Bulge of the Galaxy. Additionally, the PI will derive chemical abundances and isotope ratios in luminous supergiant stars in the Milky Way and in the Magellanic Clouds, for the purpose of constraining the physics of internal mixing within stars.
Educating students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, is a major broader impact of the proposed research. The PI will continue to make a special effort to mentor young women. Public outreach activities associated with the University of Maryland Observatory Open Houses will be undertaken, and the PI will continue to serve the astronomical community through service on committees related to her research expertise.
