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

克鲁兹博士被授予NSF天文学和天体物理学博士后奖学金，在纽约市的美国自然历史博物馆开展研究和教育计划。利用最近发射的SIRTF太空望远镜，克鲁兹博士将寻找最冷、质量最低的褐矮星，即Y矮星。此外，她将探索M和L侏儒使用从2MASS数据库中挑选的统计上完整的样本的详细特征。克鲁兹博士还将领导在AMNH实施计划的努力，这将促进各级教育中科学的性别和种族多样性。她将开发一个程序，将定制AMNH的现有互动科学计划，以满足一个新的女童子军徽章计划在空间和科学的要求。克鲁兹博士还将开发专注于妇女和少数民族在科学事业发展的活动，并将作为高中和本科生研究计划的导师参与。

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.