While at American Public University, Lauren focused on mirror making and telescope construction, astrophotography, and the effects of microgravity environments on estrogen-based bodies. She earned her M.S. in Space Studies online, while working full-time as a professor of creative writing. However during the Covid-19 pandemic, Lauren decided to change fields. She took a job as a staff astronomer at Fernbank Science Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where she brought planetarium shows and astronomy outreach programs to over 35,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students. Presently, Lauren is the Director of the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia, where she works to meet the scientific and creative needs of the campus and surrounding communities. Her love of astronomy has only served to deepen her poetic interests, motivating her to explore creativity, art and translation in non-traditional ways. Lauren is proficient in Korean. Her co-translation of poet Kim Hyesoon’s was published by Action Books in 2019. This fall, she will continue to explore how the feeling of awe humans get from looking up at the night sky is linked to joy and the desire to spread joy to others.