Celeste Luna, Ph.D

Dr. Luna serves as the Thoma Scholars Coordinator at Oklahoma State University and an Honors Advisor in the Honors College. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Ph.D in biological schiences for the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her academic training included a year of research abroad through the prestigious Smithsonian Predoctoral Fellowship, as well as five years of doctoral support through Argentina's National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) Doctoral Fellowship.

Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Luna taught epistemology at the high school level and built extensive experience in scientific research and scholarly writing, contributing to numerous scientific publications. She has also been actively involved in educational outreach initiatives for children and families, including the Escuela de Animales Project and the television program Inteligencia Animal, which promoted science education and public engagement.

Beyond her academic and outreach work, Dr. Luna developed and published an art catalog that documented and celebrated the Latino experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her interdisciplinary background as an educator, researcher and program coordinator has strengthened her ability to advocate for students, address their unique needs and provide guidance in a supportive and safe environment.

In her role as Thoma Scholars Coordinator, Dr. Luna develops and oversees programming throughout the academic year, creating meaningful experiences that align with the Thoma Foundation's mission of cultivating leaders of consequence. She is committed to helping students strengthen their leadership skills, broaden their perspectives and make a positive impact in their communities.

Dr. Luna is certified in Student Support and mental Health First Aid. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships with students, helping them navigate challenges, recognize their growth and celebrate their achievements throughout their academic journey.

Outside of work, Celeste enjoys spending time with her husband and their dogs, Dimaria and Miranda. She also loves drawing and experimenting with new baking recipes.