Karen KniermanView profile
Academic
Karen Knierman is an Associate Teaching Professor at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration. She specializes in astronomy and astrophysics, focusing on star formation in colliding galaxies using telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope. Her work also emphasizes astronomy and physics education, particularly for minority students and their families. Knierman holds a Ph.D. from ASU, an M.S. from the University of Arizona, and a B.S. from Penn State. She previously served as faculty at Mesa and Chandler-Gilbert Community Colleges. Her research interests span observational astronomy, galaxy dynamics, and educational outreach. Notably, she leads the development of ASU's online BS in Astronomical and Planetary Sciences, which emphasizes accessible STEM education. Her recent studies explore student outcomes in online astronomy programs and strategies for inclusive astronomy education. Education: Ph.D., Arizona State University; M.S., University of Arizona; B.S., Penn State University Awards: National Science Foundation Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship Outreach: Multicultural Milky Way project, disability justice advocacy, and K-12 astronomy outreach Knierman’s articles address both astrophysical phenomena (e.g., star formation in tidal tails) and pedagogical innovations (e.g., online labs and course-based research experiences). Her work bridges cutting-edge astronomy research with efforts to diversify and democratize access to STEM education.






