About me
After growing up in the US with a wholehearted love of astronomy, I moved to the UK to attend the University of Leeds. In 2013, I obtained an MPhys/BSc degree in Physics with Astrophysics and moved to the Netherlands to do my PhD in Astrochemistry at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Floris van der Tak, I completed my PhD in 2018 and returned to the US the same year to begin a fellowship in the NASA Postdoctoral Program at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. After nearly 3 years at Goddard, I returned to Kapteyn in early 2021 to begin my NWO Veni fellowship work.
Having finished this fellowship, I am now working as a science communicator looking for new ways to inspire people to discover the universe and our place in it.
You can find more information about my life and my science on this prezi that I gave as a lustrum speaker in 2021.
Research Expertise
As a researcher, I want to understand how the molecules of life came to exist. I use sub-millimeter / radio telescopes to study star-forming regions to understand how stars form, as well as learning how the molecules surrounding them form.
Public Speaking
Engage Dr. Veronica Allen as a speaker for your next scientific event or as a guest lecturer at your primary or secondary school. Her captivating presentations on cutting-edge research topics inspire and educate audiences worldwide.
Consulting Services
Dr. Allen offers expert educational and diversity & inclusion consulting services to companies, research institutions, and academic organizations. Her insights and strategic guidance help clients achieve their teaching and EDI goals.
Workshops & Training
Dr. Allen conducts interactive workshops and training sessions on astronomy and astrochemistry, science education, and EDI. Equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in scientific research, education, and inclusion.