The 2025 LSST Discovery Alliance Catalyst Symposium convened in Tucson, Arizona, November 17–19, 2025, at a pivotal moment for the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory community. As the scientific ecosystem prepares to engage with Rubin Observatory’s Data Preview 2 (DP2) and prompt data products, the symposium brought together postdoctoral researchers, educators, and institutional partners to build shared understanding, technical readiness, and long-lasting professional connections ahead of this long-anticipated phase of LSST science.
The arrival of Rubin data marks a pivotal moment for a community that has spent more than two decades imagining, designing, and building a survey capable of transforming how astronomical discovery is done. With the release of first imagery and the imminent use of DP2, the Catalyst Symposium created space for early-career researchers to engage deeply with the tools, collaborations, and networks that will shape the next era of discovery.
“After years of anticipation, Rubin Observatory is about to deliver the first release of data from the LSST camera. Preparing now is key—early engagement with LSST data will position researchers to lead as this long-awaited era of discovery begins.” – Beth Willman, LSST Discovery Alliance CEO
Participants of the 2025 LSST-DA Catalyst Symposium
Catalyst Symposium Hack Day and Technical Engagement
The Catalyst Symposium Hack Day, held on Monday, November 17, brought participants together for hands-on collaboration focused on Rubin science, LSST data products, and the Rubin Science Platform (RSP). Designed to lower barriers between data and discovery, the hack emphasized peer learning, experimentation, and building new research connections at a critical moment as the community prepares to work with DP2.
Participants began by identifying areas where they could offer expertise and those where they hoped to receive support, thereby setting the stage for collaboration across scientific domains, tools, and institutions. Short, action-oriented project pitches followed, with each participant proposing an idea to learn something new about Rubin data, software, or scientific workflows. Groups then formed organically around shared interests.
Hack projects spanned topics including time-domain astronomy, machine learning, gravitational lensing, solar system science, and the use of LSST tools such as LINCC Frameworks. Rather than focusing on polished outcomes, the Hack Day prioritized knowledge exchange, confidence-building, and establishing collaborations that extend beyond the symposium.
“I gained a much clearer understanding of how the Rubin Science Platform and alert brokers can be used to identify eruptive massive stars in LSST data. The opportunity to engage with LSST leaders and build new connections will support the development of survey-scale, time-domain projects in my long-term research program.” – Mojgan Aghakhanloo, VITA-Origins Fellow, University of Virginia
Convening Postdocs at a Critical Moment
Convening postdoctoral researchers now is particularly critical as the Rubin community transitions to full engagement with DP2 and prepares for the data challenges ahead. The Catalyst Symposium combined plenary sessions—including lightning talks from Catalyst Postdoc Alliance representatives—with targeted breakout sessions to support both scientific exchange and early-career development. The plenaries and lightning talks enabled participants to learn about one another’s research, tools, and areas of expertise, helping to surface shared interests and catalyze new collaborations across institutions.
Complementing this, breakout sessions focused on practical topics such as managing people, time management and organization, job searching and interviewing skills, and structured networking, including opportunities to engage directly with Rubin leadership and community leaders over lunch. Together, these sessions equipped postdocs with practical skills, increased their visibility within the Rubin Science Collaborations, and provided clearer insight into career pathways within and beyond academia—contributing to more substantial research impact, career satisfaction, and a stronger long-term connection to the LSST ecosystem.
plenary, sharing research insights and perspectives.
question during a plenary discussion.
An Inaugural Cohort of Postdoc Representatives
A defining feature of the 2025 Catalyst Symposium was the first-ever convening of postdoctoral representatives from 29 LSST Discovery Alliance member institutes. This inaugural cohort marks the most comprehensive and regionally diverse postdoc representation assembled by the Alliance to date and establishes a durable, postdoc-led connective layer across institutions. By convening these early-career scientists at a critical moment for Rubin science, the Alliance is developing future leaders in the field, strengthening peer networks, accelerating knowledge sharing, and laying the groundwork for sustained collaboration as the community transitions to the Rubin era.
The immediate impact of this convening was evident throughout the symposium. When participants were asked whether they had met someone new, all raised their hands, and many indicated an intention to pursue a new collaboration arising from those connections.
“It was inspiring to see new collaborative networks take shape in real time, connecting early career scientists across disciplines, institutions, and borders. We aim for this alliance development to catalyze creative, cross-cutting research that wouldn’t have happened without these new connections.” – Beth Willman, LSST Discovery Alliance CEO
Margherita Grespan and Gabriele Riccio engage in a discussion during a breakout session.
Community, Connection, and Looking Ahead
Beyond formal sessions, the symposium emphasized relationship-building through shared meals and informal gatherings, including a dinner reception at Tohono Chul Gardens. The week concluded with a visit to Kitt Peak National Observatory, where Lori Allen, Director of Mid-Scale Observatories at NOIRLab, generously led a tour for approximately 20 participants. The tour offered participants a firsthand connection to the broader observational landscape supporting Rubin science.
Catalyst Symposium participants enjoy a tour at Kitt Peak
The 2025 Catalyst Symposium was supported by funding from the John Templeton Foundation and reflects the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to empowering early-career researchers, strengthening interdisciplinary exchange, and improving how science is done through intentional community-building and mentorship.
“It was amazing to connect with so many of my peers, as well as leadership from Rubin and the Discovery Alliance. I especially found the combined program of Rubin-focused sessions and professional development workshops extremely useful.” – Tobias Geron, Catalyst Postdoctoral Alliance Lead, Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto
“Connecting with the wider postdoc community provides valuable insight and a shared purpose that I will carry with me as I navigate the academic job market. I also gained practical skills in accessing and analyzing Rubin data, which will define me research program in the coming years.” – Yu-Ching (Tony) Chen, Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins University
Catalyst Postdoc Alliance members enjoy a meal together at Tohono Chul