Galina Sherren

Galina started her MSc at Université de Montréal under Dr. René Doyon in September 2025. Her research involves characterizing the EMCCD detector of VROOM (Vitesse Radiale Optique à l’Observatoire du Mont Mégantic). VROOM is a high-resolution radial velocity spectrograph planned to be one of the primary instruments on the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic.

Galina’s research interests surround ground-based astrophysical instrumentation, which she realized through her experiences at the Dunlap Institute Summer School for Astrophysical Instrumentation as well as the Canadian Astroparticle Physics Summer School. She encourages other instrumentation-interested undergraduate and graduate students to apply to attend! She also enjoys tutoring physics and math students, and volunteering for science communication initiatives.

Previously, Galina completed her BSc (Hons) Physics under Dr. Hilding Neilson, studying Semi-Regular Variable (SRV) stars at Memorial University of Newfoundland from 2019 to 2025. This research involved using Fourier analysis methods and computing stellar evolution models to examine a sample of peculiarly-behaving SRV stars. She concurrently completed a BA in Political Science. During her undergrad, she was involved with the Memorial University of Newfoundland undergraduate physics society, and participated in many science communication events. She is particularly passionate about the representation of gender diverse individuals and queer people in physics.