A stellar career and unyielding spirit
MSU physics and astronomy professor reflects on her career amid her battle with stage four cancer
From day one, Laura Chomiuk was a rising star in astronomy.
The College of Natural Science physics and astronomy professor has been showered with accolades since she entered the field two decades ago. Michigan State University and outside entities have lauded her for her research, mentorship and excellence in teaching. And in January, she received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, or PECASE, the highest honor given to scientists by the U.S. government early in their careers.
Chomiuk’s mind should be on her bright future. She should be setting goals and dreaming of what she wants to accomplish over the next few decades. But dreams for the future have looked a little different since Chomiuk was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2020.
Her fight against the disease gave her a different perspective on her career, and life in general. These days, she’s thinking of her legacy she’ll leave behind at MSU.
“I don’t think about it as a 20-year plan,” Chomiuk said. “Five years would be great. I’ve just been trying to enjoy the science I’m doing, and support students in getting out cool studies. I’m trying to work on things that bear fruit with a little less effort.”
Making an impact at MSU
Chomiuk has spent her career exploring the mysteries of novae, or explosions on white dwarf stars. She uses these common explosions as a space laboratory. As she tries to understand what powers them, she uncovers clues to shocks, particle acceleration and other physical processes important to understanding other explosions. She’s authored or collaborated on more than 200 published journal articles over the past two decades.
Since arriving at MSU in 2013, Chomiuk has devoted herself to growing a close community among astronomy students. She created the MSU Observatory Research Program, or MORP, giving undergraduate students a chance to do real-world research and even publish papers. She also co-founded Physics and Astronomy Research Experiences for Drew Scholars, a program offering paid full-time summer research experiences to all physics and astrophysics majors who are also MSU Charles Drew Science Scholars.
“Laura is known not only for her stellar work, but also for her outstanding mentorship and teaching to astrophysics students,” MSU College of Natural Science Dean Eric Hegg said. “Thanks to her leadership, more students have developed a passion for astronomy, and our prestigious program has grown as a result.”
Finding her potential
Growing up in metro Detroit, Chomiuk wasn’t the kind of kid who spent her nights gazing at stars through a telescope. It wasn’t until she saw the movie “Contact” in high school that she became fascinated by the science of space.
“There were scientific concepts like special relativity that I had never thought about before, and it kind of blew my mind,” Chomiuk said.
That interest stuck with her enough that she majored in astronomy at Wesleyan University. Thanks to a scholarship, she was placed in a work study job doing hands-on research with an astronomy professor. Chomiuk was drawn to the science and the close-knit community of astrophysics students that immediately welcomed her as one of their own.
Her advisor recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue a Ph.D. At first, the idea felt foreign – no one from her family had an advanced degree, and the world of academia looked intimidating. With support from her advisor as well as her parents, she decided to go for it.
“At every stage, I’ve always been a little doubtful that I’d be able to make it or that it was a good fit for me,” Chomiuk said. “But I’ve received enough positive feedback and enjoyed it enough that I’ve continued.”
Chomiuk never forgot her undergraduate community that helped her to fall in love with astronomy. Her gratitude for that experience motivated her to create MORP when she arrived at MSU. She dreamed of a small group of scientists in the midst of a Big 10 university, a place where students could feel at home while also conducting research and confirming whether astrophysics is the right field for them.
Keeping that small-school feel is more challenging now that the program has grown. But that’s a good problem.
Around the physics and astronomy department, Chomiuk is known as passionate researcher and dedicated mentor. Under her leadership, students have a chance to do hands-on research as undergraduates – something that’s not always available at other institutions.
“Laura’s drive and commitment to our students is one of the reasons our astrophysics program enrollment has doubled,” physics and astronomy department chair Steve Zepf said. “She truly cares about the people she works with, and she finds great satisfaction in their success as well as in her own outstanding research.”
‘Stage four wisdom’
Until about five years ago, Chomiuk worked at a breakneck speed. She churned out papers, managed student groups, monitored space radio frequencies and developed curriculum. Though she loved her work, she eventually found herself burned out and exhausted.
“As an MSU faculty, you feel like you have the power to make positive change,” Chomiuk said. “I felt like if I didn’t do everything in my power to do that, I was shirking this gift I was given.”
Everything changed the day Chomiuk was diagnosed with cancer. She was forced to slow down, forced to say no when she wanted to say yes. Sometimes that imposter syndrome that she battled as an undergrad reared its ugly head again. She felt like a “punk,” like she wasn’t earning her keep.
In those moments, Chomiuk reflects on the renewed joy she’s experienced in her work since slowing down. Being an MSU faculty gives her the flexibility to rest when she needs it, while also pursuing the work that still makes her excited even after more than 20 years. And the support from her department colleagues has been overwhelming.
Chomiuk doesn’t know how her story will end. She’s still on her first line of treatment and is hopeful for the best. Meanwhile, she’s living with what she calls her “stage four wisdom.” She’s doing more with less and focusing on her legacy. Being an MSU professor is a gift, and she’s determined to make the most of it.
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