ABOUT

Hello and thank you for visiting my website! My full name is Dr. Daniel O’Conner Peluso, but most just call me Dan! I am an astronomer, researcher, educator, media creator, and musician/singer-songwriter performing under the pseudonym Conner Eko. This website was created to share my passions, work, and achievements. I live in Vallejo, California.

In January 2025, I returned to Griffin Technology Academies in Vallejo, CA in a hybrid role as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Educator, Researcher, and Program Developer, blending my passions for science, education, and music. At Griffin, I’ll be teaching courses in astronomy/astrophysics, mathematics, and pop music songwriting, while also developing interdisciplinary STEAM programs and writing grants to expand educational opportunities for students. I’m especially thrilled to incorporate music and songwriting into the science and maths curriculum to inspire students through creative and scientific exploration. This role allows me to continue my mission of making science more accessible, engaging, and inspiring for young learners, while also giving me the opportunity to teach a course in the field I’m most passionate about—songwriting.

Previously, I served as the Director of Strategic Engagement at the LSST Discovery Alliance (LSST-DA), where I helped foster collaboration among scientists and institutions preparing for the Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space & Time (LSST). My work focused on building partnerships, science communication, improving fundraising capacity, and supporting efforts to democratize access to Rubin LSST data. This experience gave me invaluable insight into large-scale scientific collaborations and strengthened my passion for connecting diverse communities to science.

In March 2024, I earned my Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). My thesis, Democratizing & Enhancing Exoplanet Research with the Unistellar Citizen Science Network & Astronomy Modeling Instruction, highlighted the significant impact of citizen science on exoplanet research and education. This work, conducted with UniSQ, the SETI Institute, and the American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA), led to several peer-reviewed publications and included contributions from over 200 citizen astronomers from the Unistellar Network, including high school students who were included as co-authors in my paper for the discovery and confirmation of exoplanet TIC 139270665 b (see Research & Publications). 

As an educator, I have led workshops and courses for high school and college teachers (e.g., see MI Astro), and implemented my self-designed astrophysics course from my Ph.D. work, Astronomy Modeling with Exoplanets, at Griffin High School (Vallejo, CA) that was articulated with Napa Valley College (Napa, CA) for dual credit. Additionally, I taught an introductory astronomy course at Napa Valley College (ASTR 110) and was instrumental in the development of the Unistellar College Astronomy Network (UCAN) and Unistellar Education as the Unistellar Education Associate and Assistant Director of UCAN at the SETI Institute. I remain committed to furthering this research and education work by expanding astronomy education opportunities, including continuing to teach the dual-enrollment course I developed and launching a new advanced, research-based course in partnership with Napa Valley College. Additionally, I am now experimenting with including music and songwriting in such education endeavors to improve engagement, learning, and research potential.

Before my academic journey, I spent years working in the music industry at Warner Music, Victory Records, Universal Music, Lost Highway, and Island Def Jam Records, developing and promoting artists like Fall Out Boy, Wolfmother, Bayside, Hawthorne Heights, The Bravery, Bon Jovi, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. While I enjoyed my work in the industry, my ultimate passion and aspirations have been as a musician and singer-songwriter. My music career began in the late 90s and early 2000s when I played in garage bands and sang backup vocals while performing percussion with the Western Pennsylvania touring blues band Black Cat Otis, all before I graduated high school. After being accepted into Berklee College of Music for Songwriting, I ultimately pursued a degree in Music Business (focused on songwriting), which gave me valuable experience in both music creation and promotion.

Over the years, I’ve released music as a solo artist and with my previous indie pop rock band Falling Andes, achieved national press, AAA terrestrial radio play, and had my self-produced music video for “Rabbit Hole” air on FUSE TV. Most recently, under my current project Conner Eko, I’ve received Spotify playlisting, SiriusXM airplay, and critical recognition. Music has always been a central part of my life, and now that I have completed my Ph.D., I’m excited to refocus my efforts on songwriting and music production. See my Music page to listen, watch, and learn more.

I also have over 15 years of exciting achievements in digital media creation by creating short science documentaries, science education videos, and music videos. My award-winning The Quest for Another Earth (2014) documentary on exoplanets, won the 2016 American Geophysical Union Science Film Award and the 2017 Goldschmidt Wild Orbit Film’s People’s Choice for Best Science Communication. My science education videos are published on the SETI Institute’s YouTube page and website (2020-2022), and I have successfully created music videos for my various musical projects (2008-2022).

My education includes an A.A.S. in Music Business with a focus on Songwriting from McNally Smith College of Music (2005), a B.A. in Media & Professional Communications with Certificate in Digital Media (Film Studies), and a B.S. in Natural Sciences (Planetary Science) from the University of Pittsburgh (2016), an M.Ed. in Science Curriculum & Instruction from the University of San Diego (2017), a California Single-Subject Teaching Credential in Physics and Geosciences (2017), and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Queensland (2024). 

Looking ahead, as Conner Eko, I’m preparing to release new music in 2025 starting with the release of the new single, “Standing Up (Live in Studio)”, on January 24, 2025. This will be followed by various singles throughout 2025 and beyond, leading up to my first full-length album. I am also developing a potential project that merges pop singer-songwriter music with diverse cultural influences, blending traditional and contemporary sounds. This project will explore cosmic themes and the human experience through music and storytelling, drawing inspiration from scientific concepts and cultural narratives. My ultimate career goal is to work as a full-time singer-songwriter while remaining involved in STEAM education and finding innovative ways to merge the two to inspire humanity.

Thank you for visiting, and stay tuned for updates on my music, research, and creative projects!