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What Are Astronomers Doing?
Lucas Cieza-Gonzales
"From Buenos Aires to Austin" 
Lucas Cieza-Gonzales
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Sometimes fate is kind, allowing a person to find a career that’s a perfect match for their talents and temperaments. Lucas Cieza-Gonzalez, graduate student at The University of Texas, seems to be one of these lucky few.
Born outside Buenos Aires in Argentina, Lucas began his astronomy career early. While attending a technical high school, he and two friends built from scratch a computer-controlled telescope with a 20-centimeter mirror. They then used the telescope to compete in a number of science fairs throughout high school, which indirectly led to Lucas’ choice of university. At one of the national science, a professor from the Florida Institute of Technology suggested that he apply there, and he ultimately did. After receiving a degree his space science, he eventually came to The University of Texas at Austin.
"I don’t know what else I would be."
Lucas says he has long held a passion for astronomy. Asked what he would be were he not an astronomer, he replied, "I’ve known that I’d be an astronomer since I was 11 years old. I don’t know what else I would be." After receiving his doctoral degree, Lucas would like to continue research in the fairly new field of planetary formation and extra-solar planets.
A rabbit named Bandito
Outside astronomy, Lucas enjoys horseback riding and has an interest in Argentinean politics. He likes to read, mostly Spanish poetry and Latin American classics. His grandfather owns a ranch in Argentina, and Lucas has long been an animal lover, gaining his affinity for horses from time spent on the ranch. When not reading or working he plays with his black and white bunny Bandito, and tends to his tropical salt-water fish.
Lucas Cieza-Gonzalez
Graduate Student, University of Texas at Austin
B.S., Space Science, Florida Institute of Technology
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