About Me

Dr. Erika Grundstrom (“Dr. G” :) ) loves sharing the wonder of the Universe with everyone young and old!  She is the Director of Astronomy Labs and Outreach in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University and her research combines interests in massive stars, spectroscopy, and astronomy education.  She received her Ph.D. from Georgia State University in 2007.  Education and outreach have brought her (and often an inflatable planetarium) into schools throughout the Nashville region as well as provided opportunities to develop and teach curriculum for fifth-, sixth-, and ninth-grade students in public schools as well as gifted 1st through 12th graders with the Vanderbilt Program for Talented Youth.

Outside of academia she loves to partner dance, play sand volleyball, travel, and play with her two young kids and her husband.