This Research Student Brings Distant Galaxies Down to Earth
“Ever since human beings first looked up at the sky, we’ve been trying to figure out what’s up there,” said Paige Krsnak, who graduated from Queensborough this spring with an associate in science (A.S.) degree in Physics (and a near perfect G.P.A.). She was selected as a featured speaker at the upcoming CUNY Research Scholars Program (CRSP) Symposium, to be held at City Tech, New York City College of Technology on July 1. There, Paige will speak on, “the simulation of astronomy, the cutting edge of what numerical simulations can teach us about the universe.”
Her research was conducted under the guidance of her mentor, Dr. Jillian Bellovary, associate professor of physics at Queensborough, and research associate at the American Museum of Natural History.
“The history of science is fascinating to me; discoveries made through the decades that make our work today possible,” said Paige. “Our research is unique because we can’t touch these far away experiments; we can only observe them. But supercomputers allow us to simulate the galaxy. Technology brings these distant galaxies down to Earth. My CRSP talk will focus on my research with Jillian on black holes, and whether they influence the stellar nursery around them.”
Paige moved from Columbus, Ohio to New York City in 2006 at the age of eighteen, hungry to pursue her life-long love for astronomy and to meet like-minded people from all walks of life.
“I wanted a Ph.D. before I even knew what the letters stood for!”
As for many people though, life took an unexpected turn. Shortly after Paige settled in Queens, she met someone, fell in love, got married and started a family.
Her eldest son was born in 2015, followed by the youngest in 2017. Her husband passed away suddenly in 2023. “I had been out of the workforce for years and now was a single mother with no job.” Fortunately, Paige’s in-laws were very supportive and welcomed Paige and her children into their home. At last, Paige saw a way to pursue her dream. “I wanted to go back to school; I wanted to be part of science.” Paige had heard excellent things about Queensborough’s physics program and decided to enroll in the fall of 2024 to study astronomy and astrophysics.
Dr. Bellovary was on sabatical during Paige’s first year; however, they stayed in touch and when she returned, became Paige’s mentor.
“Jillian always welcomes questions and is passionate about helping students explore their interest in astrophysics research through programs and internship opportunities. I’ve learned through working with her that you become more invested in obtaining your degree because research teaches you where this work can lead, rather than just building study skills. She wants to cultivate a diverse field of researchers. It makes us stronger as a science community.”
Paige has presented her scientific findings on campus at the Spring Student Symposium and the Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Day event, held in December. Paige’s research has also been conducted through her fellowship with CUNY Astro, which involves eligible CUNY students in astrophysics research. She will continue her education at Queens College where she will pursue her bachelor's in science degree in physics beginning in the fall of 2026.
What about the big questions that science proposes? “You’re in the minutiae of specific research, but the bottom line is, what’s going on out there? Astronomy encourages us to see the beauty of the world we live in and encourages us to take care of our world. My research work has helped me to understand all the special things that had to happen for this planet to come to life.”
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