Vidhaat Prashanth (‘25) is making strides toward a future in astrophysics, driven by his passion for space and the universe. This summer, he took a significant step forward by participating in NASA’s prestigious STEM Gateway program . Captivated by space since childhood, Prashanth has transformed his early fascination into a determined ambition to contribute to the field of astronomy.
A NASA Internship
During an eight-week hybrid internship at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Prashanth worked on Telescope ML, a machine learning program designed to analyze exoplanets—planets located outside our solar system—and their atmospheres.
“I’ve seen Vidhaat show an interest in astronomy as long as I’ve known him,” said Sanjay Ravishankar (‘25).
Research: Brown Dwarfs
Prashanth’s specific role involved researching brown dwarfs, objects that exist in the gray area between planets and stars. Known as “failed stars,” brown dwarfs serve as a bridge between planetary and stellar formations.
Using Telescope ML, Prashanth identified brown dwarfs, analyzed their atmospheric compositions, and worked to address anomalies in the data.
“We’d get weird results, so I’d try to fix that,” said Prashanth.
While the scientific discoveries were fascinating, the internship also gave him a behind-the-scenes look at life at NASA.
“There was so much cool stuff—like an antique supersonic jet, decommissioned tanks, and even someone working on robots for the military,” said Prashanth.
A Path Forward
Throughout the program, Prashanth worked closely with his mentor, Dr. Sam Gharib Nezhad, an astrophysicist and chemist. Dr. Nezhad guided him through the research process and shared insights into various career opportunities within astrophysics.
“I learned what it’s like to work at NASA and to have a career in research,” said Prashanth.
This internship solidified Prashanth’s plans to study astronomy, astrophysics, or physics in college. For him, the experience wasn’t just a stepping stone—it was a launchpad toward his ultimate goal of unraveling the mysteries of the universe.
With determination and curiosity fueling his journey, Vidhaat Prashanth is well on his way to contributing to the field of astronomy and inspiring others to explore the cosmos.
