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A generous gift propels space research

Before Keri Hoadley emerged as a world-class leader in ultraviolet (UV) space instrumentation, she was a curious child captivated by the night sky. She peppered her parents with questions they couldn’t answer. Undeterred, she’d rush to the local library to seek the answers herself.

Hoadley’s early fascination kindled a lifelong quest to understand how celestial bodies form and evolve. She’s still asking big questions today, inspiring the next generation of scientists to do the same.

“It’s amazing to witness that moment when a student realizes they can actually push science forward into the unknown,” Hoadley said.

Hoadley’s recent appointment to the astronomy department faculty is a testament to the transformative power of private philanthropy. Thanks to a generous gift from the Dharma Endowment Foundation, her dreams of leading and building large UV telescopes are now within reach.

The funds will establish the Hoadley UV Space Lab, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment needed to design and build instruments for space missions. By merging the resources of the Hoadley Lab with UF’s interdisciplinary Astraeus Space Institute, UF will become a premier launching pad for students pursuing space-oriented careers.

“The funding allows us to have the research capacity and infrastructure to build space telescopes right here on UF’s campus,” Hoadley said. “Rather than just addressing immediate needs, we’re able to think further down the line.”

Hoadley’s expertise positions her to significantly contribute to the technology development and preliminary science needed for NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory, the first to search for signs of life on exoplanets.

Private support not only fuels Hoadley’s pioneering work but also elevates UF’s stature in future NASA flagship missions. It’s proof that private funding is not just about dollars and cents; it is about seeding a future at the frontier of science.

Support the quest for the unknown. Invest in the future today, visit astro.ufl.edu/giving.