Adriana Durbala

Adriana Durbala is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she has been teaching since 2009. She serves as the Coordinator of the Astronomy minor and is deeply committed to undergraduate education and research mentorship. Durbala is an active member of the Undergraduate ALFALFA Team, a collaborative network of 25 institutions promoting student research in radio astronomy.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Physics from the University of Bucharest, Romania.

Durbala's research centers on extragalactic astronomy and astrophysics, with emphasis on optical and radio observations of galaxies. She explores galaxy evolution, neutral hydrogen content, and environmental effects in galaxy groups. Her work often involves large survey data and cross-matching techniques to understand galaxy properties and star formation.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in galaxy catalog development, astronomical data integration, and educational resource creation. Her research spans observational astrophysics and pedagogical innovation, particularly in undergraduate astronomy education.

• UW-Stevens Point University Scholar Award (2022)

Durbala actively mentors students through classroom teaching and summer research opportunities at the Green Bank Observatory. She has played a key role in developing the Astronomy minor curriculum and advancing undergraduate research experiences. While specific grants are not mentioned, her leadership in national collaborative programs indicates significant involvement in funded educational and research initiatives.

She is involved in the Undergraduate ALFALFA Team, a large-scale collaborative effort supporting student research in radio astronomy across multiple institutions.