Measuring the Luminosity and Mass Functions of Low-Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs

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Dr. Cruz is awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship to carry out a program of research and education at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Using the recently launched SIRTF space telescope, Dr. Cruz will search for the coolest, lowest-mass brown dwarfs known as Y dwarfs. Also, she will explore the detailed characteristics of M and L dwarfs using a statistically complete sample culled from the 2MASS database.Dr. Cruz will also lead the effort to implement programming at the AMNH that will foster gender and ethnic diversity in science at all educational levels. She will develop a program that will customize AMNH's exiting interactive science programs to satisfy requirements for a new Girl Scout badge program in space and science. Dr. Cruz will also develop activities focused on the career development of women and minorities in science and will participate as a mentor in research programs for high school and undergraduate students.