Krysten Sarkissian at the mirror lab
Krysten Sarkissian in the lab
Shooting stars, falling stars, whatever you call them, they’re all meteors. But the ones that withstand the tempestuous journey through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon — those are meteorites. Krysten Sarkissian, a student and full-time lab technician at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), got to spend two weeks at the University of Arizona (U of A) this summer studying these surviving space rocks.
Sarkissian was part of a pilot program at U of A called Arizona Space Rock Camp, a two-week deep dive into the world of asteroids and meteorites at the university’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. The camp included inspiring talks by leading scientists, hands-on space rock analysis in the lab with cutting-edge instruments, and behind-the-scenes tours of world-class facilities such as the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab and the Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum. Sarkissian’s Geology Professor at EMCC, Zach Kovach, suggested she apply for the camp last fall.
“Krysten was in my Physical Geology and Historical Geology classes, and she was a standout student,” Professor Kovach said. “These classes were both online, but she was one of the most engaged students. And since my online classes allow students to work ahead if they choose, I think she was one of the first students to be done with both classes.”
Sarkissian applied for the Arizona Space Rock Camp in December and, a few months later, was told that she was at the top of the waiting list. About a month after that, she was informed that a spot had opened up.
“When I received the email, I was absolutely ecstatic,” Sarkissian said. “It truly felt like everything had aligned for a reason — I was meant to be part of the camp.”
Fifty-two students from community colleges and universities across the country had applied for the camp’s 10 slots. The camp’s creator, Dr. Pierre Haenecour, Assistant Professor in the Lunar and Planetary Lab at U of A, said Sarkissian’s application stood out “because of her passion for geology and rocks.”
Sarkissian grew up in upstate New York, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She started a photography business and enjoyed success, but emerging technology made her feel that photography was becoming obsolete. She had also grown tired of the cold, wet weather and decided to move to Arizona and follow her lifelong dream of becoming a geologist.
“It was the dream I’d always had and probably should have done from the beginning,” Sarkissian said.
Fear of math and science had held her back, but as she got older, they became less intimidating, and she had “more of a will to learn.” She chose Estrella Mountain Community College based on its proximity to her home and because she was drawn to the “smaller campus environment.”
“EMCC offers more personalized attention from instructors, greater opportunities for student engagement, and a stronger sense of community and support,” she said. “That made it a practical choice for completing many of my required courses before transferring to a four-year institution.”
Sarkissian has been at EMCC for about two years now, and she’s majoring in Science with an Emphasis in Geology. The Space Rock Camp was her first undergraduate research experience. It piqued her interest because she knew she wanted to study geology, but wasn’t sure about the specific direction she wanted to pursue within the field.
“While I’ve always been fascinated by rocks, fossils, and meteorites, discovering that there is a specialized path focused on the study of meteorites and other extraterrestrial materials sparked a deeper curiosity, and I felt compelled to explore this area further,” she said. “Additionally, the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a laboratory setting and work with professional scientific instruments was especially appealing, as it offered a chance to develop practical skills while deepening my understanding of planetary materials.”
At the beginning of the camp, each of the students was given a meteorite sample to study over the two-week period. Using a variety of lab instruments, they were able to classify their samples into one of the three broad categories of meteorites: stony, stony-iron, and iron.
“One of the most exciting aspects of the experience was that the samples had not yet been studied by the faculty, meaning the data we generated was original and contributed new insights,” Sarkissian said.
Even more exciting, though, was the fact that the camp confirmed what Sarkissian was already thinking: she wants to pursue planetary geology and meteorite research as a career.
“I entered the program unsure of what to expect, but left feeling both fulfilled and a little sad that it had ended so quickly,” she said. “That experience solidified my passion and showed me that this is the path I truly want to follow, one I know will bring me long-term fulfillment.”
The camp ended with student presentations in front of faculty and peers, and then it was time to return to the Valley of the Sun and get back to work, readying the EMCC labs for the fall semester. Sarkissian took on the lab tech position last April, and she is responsible for maintaining equipment, managing chemical inventory, ensuring the safe disposal of hazardous materials, and supporting professors and students by providing the necessary chemicals, glassware, and personal protective equipment for their experiments.
“I enjoy being immersed in the science department every day — working with lab equipment, staying involved in the learning process, and helping students have a safe, engaging, and educational lab experience,” she said. “I also see this position as a valuable stepping stone that will help open doors to more career-relevant opportunities in the future.”
Professor Kovach said the lab technician job is also a huge advantage for someone who doesn’t have a science background.
“She has fully immersed herself in the content and experiences of science and is building a great resume and making some awesome connections,” Professor Kovach said. “This should be the template of how science majors start their path in science!”
Sarkissian is currently going to school part time and plans to graduate from EMCC in 2027. After that, she plans on getting a bachelor’s at a university, maybe even U of A.
“I didn't have anything set in stone as to where I would like to transfer to, but now that I have been to the U of A, it is definitely a possibility,” she said. “I’ve kept in touch with a few of the participants from the camp and several of the professors who have been especially generous in sharing insight into the school’s geosciences program. I plan to connect with one of them soon to discuss campus opportunities, and I’m currently looking into EMCC’s transfer program to see what classes convert over.”
The Arizona Space Rock Camp is set to be an annual event, and the theme will vary every year. Next summer’s camp will focus on the moon and differentiated bodies. Camp participants receive a stipend for room and board. Students do not need any background in planetary science or any experience in a lab to apply.
“We want to get students interested in science and get them some hands-on experience with lab equipment that they don’t have access to,” Dr. Haenecour said. “The goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists and planetary scientists.