Isabelle Laing
Undergraduate Student & Researcher · Astrophysics & Physics · University of Toronto
About
My work sits at the intersection of machine learning and astrophysics. I have used neural networks to trace the Milky Way's assembly history through stellar chemistry, and explored dark matter's role in shaping stellar streams using GCNNs. My most recent work is with the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, where I will be studying statistical signatures in polarimetric light curves from black hole accretion, supervised by Dr. Rohan Dahale and Dr. Aviad Levis.
Research Experience
— Present
SURP — Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) · Dr. Rohan Dahale, Dr. Aviad Levis & Dr. Bart Ripperda
Studying statistical signatures in polarimetric light curves from black hole accretion discs.
— Present
AST430 Student Research Course
David A. Dunlap Dept. of Astronomy & Astrophysics, UofT · Dr. Renée Hložek
Building a full pipeline for stellar stream simulation to investigate how different dark matter models affect stream morphology. Part of the Hnauts research team.
Student Research Internship
Sydney Institute for Astrophysics, University of Sydney · Dr. Joss Bland-Hawthorn & Dr. Thorsten Tepper-Garcia
Identified and analysed clumps in galactic simulations for the Galacticos Group.
— Aug 2025
SURP — Summer Undergraduate Research Program
David A. Dunlap Dept. of Astronomy & Astrophysics, UofT · Dr. Josh Speagle & Dr. Ting Li
Applied neural networks to derive stellar parameters and chemical abundances from spectra. Released a public catalogue of predictions for over 12 million Milky Way stars. Focus on galactic archaeology and the assembly history of the Milky Way halo.
Awards & Honours
Presentations
Space is Cool
Image taken by Isabelle Laing at the McNamara–Saunders Astronomical Teaching Telescope (MSATT), Mt Stromlo Observatory, 2022.
Outreach
Science communication, public outreach, and accessible astronomy are central to how I approach academia and research. I am currently President of the Astronomy Union at the University of Toronto, where I work to expand opportunities for student involvement and foster a more connected academic community. Alongside this, I volunteer for events such as AstroTours and Astro on Tap, where I engage directly with public audiences to make astronomy more accessible and engaging.
Contact