Laurel White

Please bear with me while my website is under construction!

About Me

My name is Laurel and I'm wrapping up my Ph.D. in Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I do observational astronomy research on galaxy clusters with Professor Michael McDonald. I also have a strong interest in teaching and educational development. For the upcoming academic year, I am excited to be teaching as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Bowdoin College.

I am originally from Syracuse, NY and I have a B.S. in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from Syracuse University.

Research

My current interest is in the evolution of galaxy clusters over cosmic time. To that end, I am working on characterizing the Cluster Evolutionary Reference Ensemble At Low-z (CEREAL) sample, which is a mass-selected sample of clusters with redshifts between 0.15 and 0.25 that have been followed up with Chandra.

During my four years at Syracuse University, I conducted gravitational-wave research with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and the Syracuse University Gravitational Wave Research Group under Professors Peter Saulson and Duncan Brown.

Teaching

I am committed to teaching and serving diverse populations of students. Recently, I served as the 2024-25 Teaching Development Fellow for the MIT Physics Department in conjunction with our Teaching and Learning Lab. In this role, I developed a new seminar course in professional development for physics graduate teaching assistants, which I ran as a pilot in Fall 2025.

I also spend a week each summer as a Research Project Leader with the Warrior Scholar Project STEM Bootcamp at MIT. I work with veterans and active duty US military members to do hands-on astrophysics research.

I have been enjoying teaching an introductory course in astronomy and cosmology called "Cosmic Time Machine: 13 Billion Years of the Universe" at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education for the Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 terms.

Publications

Here is my most recent publication on AGN feedback in the galaxy cluster Abell 1885.

Please visit my ORCID page for a complete list of publications.

Service and Outreach

• MIT Physics Graduate Student Council: Treasurer, Cookie Social Chair
• MIT Physics Mentor Program: Mentor
• MIT Graduate Women's Reading Group: Leadership team
• Horizons for Homeless Children Playspace Program: Playspace Activity Leader
• MIT Chancellor's Innovation Fund: Grant recipient

Fun Stuff

I have worked as a mascot performer on MIT's Team TIM!

I liked to do all sorts of crafts, particularly knitting, crocheting, and sewing. I also love to hike with my rescue dog, Bodie.

Contact

Email: lvwhite@mit.edu