Sandrine Thomas

Dr. Sandrine Thomas is no stranger to international teamwork. How many people can say they’ve completed a French PhD from a French university while working at an American observatory in Chile, supervised by a Russian scientist? (Okay, that’s specific, but you get the idea). Now as one of Rubin Observatory’s project scientists and Deputy Directors for Construction, Sandrine plays a big part in coordinating Rubin’s international team of engineers and scientists.

Sandrine’s journey to astronomy began with a love for math and watching her amateur astronomer brother stare at the sky, which soon turned into a desire to be an engineer or scientist working in astronomy. Although she didn’t get into her first choice school, she was accepted at l’Institut d’Optique in Paris, an optical engineering school. Sandrine’s education led her to an internship in Chile at the observatory on Cerro Tololo (the mountain right next to Rubin’s Cerro Pachón), where she discovered her passion for building telescopes “I was on the summit looking at the sky and it was just like ‘oh, this is awesome,’” she says. “After my six months there I just didn't want to leave.”

So she didn’t! Instead, she found a PhD program in Nice, France that let her complete her degree from Chile, under the supervision of a Russian scientist she’d met there. “I always joked that I did my French PhD in Chile at an American observatory with a Russian advisor,” she laughs.

After working on the Gemini Observatory’s Planet Imager and “getting lost in space a little bit” at NASA, Sandrine joined Rubin Observatory as the Telescope Project Scientist to make sure that the telescope is built to meet all of the technical requirements that its engineers defined. Sandrine quickly proved that she’s a great leader, and now as one of the observatory’s Deputy Directors, a lot of her effort goes toward coordinating the many people at the observatory and around the world all making sure Rubin will work as designed once all its parts are put together. Part of that coordination means making sure people feel happy and welcomed at work and that Rubin’s many diverse teams have good communication. That’s why Sandrine leads Rubin’s Workplace Culture Advocacy Group, running activities like regular staff features and monthly discussions about topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In fact, Sandrine’s favorite thing about being a part of Rubin is seeing how so many people can come together to solve problems and make such a complex facility a reality!

Outside of astronomy, Sandrine dances ballet—but she didn’t get into the sport willingly. “Apparently at five my mom pushed me to put the shoes and uniform on, and then I didn't want to dance,” she said. “I just sat in my corner, just watched the class.” But before long she took the leap and joined her classmates, discovering that she did, in fact, enjoy ballet! In between dancing, getting out in nature, and spending time with her kids, Sandrine also loves rock climbing. While dancing and climbing might seem unrelated, Sandrine notes that you need flexibility, leg strength, and core strength for both: “It’s just that one is more 3D than the other,” she says. “I always say that climbing is dancing on a rock.”

Sandrine’s career has taken her around the world, through many stages and now to a leadership position within a huge international project. And with all of that comes new adventures and opportunities to grow. She reminds us all to “listen to what you’re passionate about and work toward it. Never give up, and…enjoy each part of your life. They all have different purposes and they’re all needed.”

Lightning round Q&A: Get to know Sandrine better!

What animal would you swap places with for a day?
A bird. I grew up by the ocean and it really calmed me to watch those big seabirds just playing in waves.

If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
I can't even think about not sleeping, I love sleeping. But I would do more reading because I don't read enough right now.

What is your favorite season?
Spring, I really love the colors and the flowers.

What is a food or meal that you could eat for a week straight?
Crêpes. But that's kind of a fake answer because you can still have a variety of meals.

What’s your most used emoji?
I've been using the laughing one 😂 quite often lately, because you have to stay positive!