Each year, the Denver Astronomical Society (DAS) awards the Van Nattan-Hansen-Anderson Scholarship to support promising students in astronomy, astrophysics, and related sciences. We are proud to introduce this year’s recipients, each of whom is pursuing their passion for the universe in unique and inspiring ways.
Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Jessica Johnson
Jessica is a junior at the University of Northern Colorado, majoring in physics with a concentration in astronomy. Inspired by a childhood love of Star Wars, she now pursues her dream of becoming an astronomer/astrophysicist. She is active in the Society of Physics Students, enjoys science fiction, music, and her dog, and hopes to secure an internship and begin research at UNC before moving on to graduate school.
Nora Kane
Nora, from Long Island, is a sophomore physics major at Caltech. She has interned at Brookhaven National Laboratory since 2022, mentored high school research students, and competes on Caltech’s swim team. Her first year at Caltech confirmed her passion for relativity, and she aims to earn a Ph.D. exploring the geometry of spacetime and reconciling Einstein’s relativity with quantum mechanics, ultimately becoming a faculty researcher.
Lily Myers
Lily, a first-year student at UC Berkeley, is majoring in astrophysics with minors in French and geology. A 2024 NASA SEES intern, she conducted planetary geology research and even flew her own experiment in zero gravity. At Berkeley, she looks forward to research opportunities and student involvement while preparing for a Ph.D. in astrophysics, with the goal of inspiring more young women to pursue science.
Selen Serdar
Selen is a junior at Purdue University studying aerospace engineering with minors in astronomy, physics, and mathematics. Her research spans astrophysics, quantum mechanics, relativity, and aerospace structures. She interns with TNTLabs on semiconductor and aerospace evaluation techniques and works with Purdue’s SLING research club on spacecraft dynamics. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in theoretical physics or controls to tackle unsolved physics problems.
Benji Simberg
Benji, a longtime DAS member, is now studying astrophysics and physics at UC Berkeley. He has conducted satellite flight software and astrophysics research at CU Boulder’s Laboratory of Atmospheric and Space Physics. Inspired by Neil deGrasse Tyson, he hopes to earn a Ph.D. in astrophysics and lead his own research. Benji remains connected to DAS through astrophotography, volunteering at Chamberlin Observatory, and returning to the Kline-Dodge Dark Site whenever he’s home.
Read more about current and past scholarship recipients on our website: DAS Scholarship Winners
About the Scholarship
The Van Nattan-Hansen-Anderson Scholarship (VNHA) was first established in 1973 to honor William Van Nattan and Charles Hansen. It was later expanded to include John Anderson, a former DAS director whose generous bequest strengthened the scholarship’s future.
The award is open to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing astronomy, astrophysics, mathematics, or closely related physical sciences. It helps provide financial support for students who demonstrate both passion and potential in these fields.
How to Apply
- Who can apply? Graduating high school seniors and undergraduates majoring in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, mathematics, or related sciences.
- When? Applications open April 1 and close June 15 each year. Winners are typically announced around August 1.
- How? Submit the online application form available on the DAS website.
For complete eligibility details, instructions, and application materials, visit: Van Nattan-Hansen-Anderson Scholarship Information
Keep Looking Up
The Denver Astronomical Society is proud to support the next generation of astronomers, scientists, and dreamers. To this year’s scholarship winners—Jessica, Nora, Lily, Selen, and Benji—we say congratulations! We can’t wait to see what you discover.
Clear skies and happy stargazing!
