Megan Grace Li
Los Angeles, CA
megangrace@g.ucla.edu
EDUCATION
PhD in Planetary Science (in progress) Expected Completion: 2027
University of California, Los Angeles
Expected Thesis Topic: Machine Learning Applications for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Advisor: Jean-Luc Margot
Integrated Master of Planetary Science Degree April 2024
Relevant Coursework: SETI, Radiative Transfer, Exoplanets, Orders of Magnitude Astronomy, Planetary Formation
Bachelor of Science in Physics with Specialization in Astrophysics March 2022
University of California, San Diego
PUBLICATIONS
Megan G. Li, Sofia Z. Sheikh, Christian Gilbertson, et al. (2023). Developing a Drift Rate Distribution for Technosignature Searches of Exoplanets. The Astronomical Journal, 166(5), 182. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/acf83d
Jean-Luc Margot, Megan G. Li, Paul Pinchuk, et al. (2023). A Search for Technosignatures Around 11,680 Stars with the Green Bank Telescope at 1.15?1.73 GHz. The Astronomical Journal, 166(5), 206. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/acfda4
Megan G. Li, Karin M. Sandstrom, and Adam K. Leroy. (2022). A Resolved Search for AGN in the Centers of Nearby Galaxies with WISE. Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society, 6(6), 117. https://doi.org/10.3847/2515-5172/ac7569
SELECTED SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
UCLA Eugene V. Cota-Robles Fellow 2022-2026
John N. Truex Research Award (UCLA Research Award) $1000 2024
UCLA Excellence in Science Communication Award $1000 2024
University Fellowship from UCLA Division of Graduate Education ~$9000 Spring 2024
UCLA Grad Slam Finalist (top 10) Dissertation Talk Competition $500 2024
Thomas R. McGetchin Memorial Scholarship Award (Universities Space Research 2021
Association Distinguished Undergraduate) $5000
UCSD Physical Sciences Dean’s Undergraduate Award for Excellence $1000 2022
UCSD Physical Sciences Inaugural EDI Excellence Award 2022
Triton Research and Experiential Learning Scholar $2000 2020-2021
Universities Space Research Association 2020
Distinguished Undergraduate Honorable Mention
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Student Researcher - 2022-Present
UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
Mentored by Professor Jean-Luc Margot
Spearheading and monitoring citizen science project, arewealone.earth
Formulated calculations for existence limits of extraterrestrial civilizations
Processed several terabytes of data taken by the Green Bank Telescope
REU Intern - Berkeley SETI Research Center June-Aug 2021
Mentored by Dr. Sofia Sheikh
Quantified 80,000 drift rates for exoplanets in the NASA Exoplanet Archive
Simulated a population of exoplanets and calculated the simulated drift rates
Designed a criterion to predict which planets could host life
Undergraduate Researcher - UCSD Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences 2019-2022 Mentored by Professor Karin Sandstrom
Designed an infrared color criterion to search for active galactic nuclei in 15,000 galaxies
Implemented a modified Monte-Carlo simulation to estimate the noise of galaxy maps
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant - UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Fall 2024 Astrobiology
Supplemental Instruction Leader - UCSD Academic Achievement Hub 2019-2021
Designed and facilitated active-learning group sessions for math and physics classes
LEADERSHIP AND OUTREACH
SETI Institute Technosignature Study Analysis Group 2024-
Executive Secretary of Steering Committee
The SETI Institute Technosignatures SAG is advising on integration of technosignature search into NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program. As the Executive Secretary to their Steering Committee, I will be documenting and understanding firsthand the NASA proposal process.
Are we alone in the universe? arewealone.earth 2023-
Researcher/Lead Moderator
Exploring Your Universe
Publicity Chair 2022-2023
Volunteer Coordinator 2023-2024
Booth Coordinator 2024-2025
Exploring Your Universe is UCLA?s biggest science fair, which garners over 10,000 visitors each year. I plan to be the President of EYU in the next two years, so I am fulfilling as many positions as possible before that.
ComSciCon SouthWest 2025 Conference Organizer 2024-
I will be helping coordinate panels, catering, and venue logistics for the communicating science workshop for graduate students in 2025. This chapter will serve the SouthWest region of the United States.
Big Sister STEM instagram.com/bigsisterstem 2020-2023 Founder and President
Big Sister STEM is a non-profit organization I founded to provide cost-free online STEM mentorship to girls and non-binary children in middle school and high school. I fostered the mentorship of over 30 students with the help of over 20 volunteers.
Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Family Mentorship Program 2024-
Events Chair
Society of Physics Students at UCSD 2021-2022
Outreach Chair - Outstanding Chapter Award by SPS National
UCSD Astronomy Club
Publicity Chair 2019-2020
Vice President 2020-2021
President 2021-2022
Marginalized Idenities in Physics at UCSD
Secretary 2021-2022
PRESENTATIONS
Li, Megan G. and Margot, Jean-Luc. “Are we alone in the universe? - A Citizen Science Collaboration.” American Astronomical Society 2024
Li, Megan G. and Margot, Jean-Luc. “Are we alone in the universe? - A Citizen Science Collaboration.” Interstellar Frontiers 2024
Li, Megan G. “SETI at UCLA.” Penn State SETI Seminar - Invited Talk 2023
Li, Megan G. and Margot, Jean-Luc. “Are we alone in the universe? - A Citizen Science Collaboration.” Penn State SETI Symposium 2023
Li, Megan G. and Margot, Jean-Luc. “Are we alone in the universe? - A Citizen Science Collaboration.” American Astronomical Society 2023
Li, Megan G., Sheikh, Sofia Z., and Isaacson, Howard. “Developing a Drift Rate Distribution for Technosignature Searches of Exoplanets.” First Penn State SETI Symposium 2022
Li, Megan G., Sheikh, Sofia Z., and Isaacson, Howard. “Developing a Drift Rate Distribution for Technosignature Searches of Exoplanets.” Breakthrough Listen Advisory Board Meeting 2022
Li, Megan G. and Sandstrom, Karin M. “Active Galactic Nuclei” University of California, San Diego Undergraduate Research Conference 2021 Plenary Talk
Li, Megan G. and Sandstrom, Karin M. “Active Galactic Nuclei” University of California, San Diego Online Undergraduate Research Symposium 2020 Keynote Panelist