Current Research
Tomographic Ionized-carbon Mapping Experiment (TIME)
My research interests span a wide range of topics in cosmology with focuses on significant epochs in the universe's formation. I am currently working in the Center for Detectors with Dr. Zemcov on the Tomographic Ionized-carbon Mapping Experiment (TIME), in collaboration with Caltech.
Research Description:
TIME is an imaging spectrometer designed to detect the 158 micron emission of CII, in order to investigate the large scale structure and ionization of important cosmological epochs.
My contribution to the project is to design and implement a graphical user interface that allows control of several instruments simultaneously, and outputs the data into a useful format.
I will also be the lead on the design, fabrication and testing of a K Mirror system to allow TIME optics to adapt to a rotating field of view, and facilitate easier data analysis.
Past Research Projects
Investigation of H2O Absorption Features in M Type Stars
Fall 2016
Collecting low resolution stellar spectra of M type stars and classifying the abundance of the molecular absorption from water. Observing other spectral types of stars to determine H2O cutoff. Compare accepted models for stellar atmospheres with observed molecular disassociation.
Cluster Analysis: A New Tool for Determining Sediment Provenance
Fall/Spring 2015
Work as undergrad at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with Professors Roberge and Watson. Learning Matlab language. Creating program to determine the sediment provenance of quartz using only the elemental abundances in the sample. Background research in cluster analysis methods, statistical methods for nonparametric kernel density estimation. Results of project were presented at the Geological Society of America Conference in Baltimore, MD on November 1st-4th, 2015.
Diffuse Interstellar Bands
Summer 2014
Summer internship at the University of Chicago. Analyzing stellar spectra absorption features for equivalent widths. Absorption features unable to be identified as known molecules capable of being created on earth. Learning Linux and utilizing a pre-written Linux program.