That’s One Hot Job! How Kelly Korreck Became An Astrophysicist

You can’t be what you can’t see. So how do you get exposed to more fields? The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) IF/THEN Ambassador program is working to solve that problem. They are creating a culture shift recruiting more girls and women into Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). There is a new exhibit of 122 statues of women in STEM, featuring different scientific backgrounds, interests, ages, and career stages.  

Dr. Kelly Korreck is one of the scientists with a lifesize 3D printed statue of herself. Growing up, Korreck wanted to be a doctor, Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, scientist, diplomat, sailor, and university president. She knew curiosity would be part of her career. Today, she is an astrophysicist and one of only a handful of female ones. Her journey to being immortalized with a statue was not straightforward.

Korreck loved all of her science classes, but an extra-curricular program in college made her realize she is different. Her classmates were interested in finding the answers, while Korreck was more interested in understanding the ‘why’ behind the question. She was looking at questions from a different angle. She enjoyed creating tools to solve the problems more than just fixing them.

Deciding medical school was not going to be part of her future, she switched her college major to physics, and for a few extra credits, she tacked on astronomy. She did quite a bit of research during college and decided she was hungry for more. She took a year off after college and worked as an engineer to determine her next professional move.

Korreck knew she needed more education and training and started a master’s program, but the department administrator encouraged her to pursue a PhD. After a lecture, a classmate pulled her aside to show her videos of what her advisor was studying. Korreck was mesmerized. She was looking at the sun in all of her glory. She switched advisors and went on her new path. If you ask Korreck what she does, she’ll tell you, “I am trying to understand why the sun is throwing temper tantrums, why she is trying to kill us, and how to prevent it.” Now that’s an introduction!

She finished her doctorate and realized faculty positions in academia were scarce. Her mentor suggested she give a talk about her work at an upcoming event. The crowd was small. When she finished the presentation, an audience member walked up to her and offered her a job at the Smithsonian. She took the job and accepted every opportunity that she could to build rockets, satellites, work with Congress, advisory boards, and public outreach. Now Korreck is going to NASA to work on heliophysics missions and utilize the science they are creating to serve the public.

Korreck realized that there were not enough women in STEM. She is often the only woman on a team, and at conferences, there were not many other women astrophysicists around. Wanting to be part of the solution and encourage more girls and women to pursue STEM fields, Korreck applied to the AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador program, created and funded by the Dallas-based Lyda Hill Philanthropies. She was one of the 125 scientists selected for this initiative. “When you Google a scientist, I want you to see a woman,” said Korreck.

Korreck and the other IF/THEN ambassadors speak to young women about the different careers available to scientists. The goal is to have all 122 statues together in Dallas, Texas, to publicly display the most women statues ever assembled in one location at one time. Covid forced the leadership to reimagine that plan as people were not traveling. Instead, pop-up exhibits are unveiling throughout the United States, including the Central Park Zoo in New York City and the Dallas Love Field Airport, where you can see Korreck’s statue.

Often, we pursue a career because it is what is obvious or expected. We are limited by what we know and to which we are exposed. On occasion, I will use this column to highlight other professions that may not be on people’s radar.