Rica is MiraCosta's first full-time astronomer. Prior to arriving at MiraCosta, she taught astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin and physics at Middle Tennessee State University, and did research stints with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy, and the Maria Mitchell Observatory. Currently, she teaches ASTR 101, 101L, and 201 as well as PHYS 151/152. She is also busy developing the new course, ASTR 120 "Life in the Universe".
An IYA09 Cornerstone Project