Cailin Plunkett

About

I'm a third-year Physics Ph.D. candidate at MIT studying gravitational-wave astrophysics with Salvatore Vitale. I'm exploring black hole populations and binary star evolution with current and next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.

I grew up in Oakland, CA and majored in Mathematics and Physics at Amherst College, where I graduated summa cum laude in 2023.

View my full CV (updated Feb. 2026).

Outside the Office

I was raised hiking, biking, and skiing the mountains of California. I love (and miss) the Sierra Nevadas and return for adventures whenever possible. Recently found on mountaintops in California, New Hampshire, and Colorado.

Mediocre gymnast, cyclist, and runner. Top-notch enjoyer of time with friends and time outside.

I'm your 2025 MIT Kavli Institute Holiday Bake-off Supreme Grand Champion. My heart lies with cookies.

I recently knit the Rumble Raglan by Lydia Morrow. I rarely go anywhere without my Kindle.

Half Dome
Descending Half Dome (June 2025)
Rae Lakes
Rae Lakes Loop with my mom (July 2025)
Lake Tahoe
Winter happy place (Lake Tahoe)
Mango
Mango, the world's most glorious cat
Bake-off cake
Bake-off cake (December 2025)
Cookies
My alternate calling