J. Kelly Holley-Bockelmann is an American astrophysicist who holds the position of Stevenson Professor of Physics at Vanderbilt University.
[2][3] Holley-Bockelmann is also known for her efforts to increase diversity in STEM education, particularly for her work as the director of the Fisk-Vanderbilt Bridge Program.
[3] Being a first-generation college student and woman in STEM has driven Holley-Bockelmann to further efforts to improve gender and race diversity in the hard sciences.
[6] Holley-Bockelmann has been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her work to create a "more vibrant and inclusive scientific community," particularly in the fields of physics and astronomy.
[9] In 2016, Holley-Bockelmann was part of the effort to share the news of the first observation of gravitational waves with the public, presenting at TEDxNashville in May of that year.