Education
Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of
Michigan, 2003
M.S. in Astronomy from University of Michigan - 1995
B.S. in Astrophysics, cum laude, from UCLA - 1993
Areas of interest:
Galaxy formation and evolution, dwarf galaxies, galaxy clusters, observational extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, search for extrasolar planetsResearch experience:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for Astronomy
9/06 - present
Research involves working with Dr. Brent Tully on dwarf galaxy populations in nearby groups and clusters of galaxies.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Gemini Observatory -
North, 9/04 - 8/06
Research involved collaboration on the Gemini/HST Cluster Project working with Dr. Inger Jorgensen on cluster galaxy evolution since z < 1. Primary responsibilties involved establishing a pipeline for the data reduction and analysis of HST/ACS and WFPC2 data. Further duties included reduction of GMOS spectroscopy data, collaboration with group members on data analysis, proposal and paper writing.
Graduate Student Research Assistant, Astronomy Dept, Univ. of MI, Fall 1994 - Spring 2003
Research included observations, data reduction, and analysis in part for my thesis on the cluster galaxy luminosity function with Dr. Mario Mateo.
IR observations, data reduction, and paper on color-color relations for
red giants in star clusters with Dr. Guy
Worthey (1997)
Work with 2 other graduate students on WWW database of astronomical
images with problems and diagnosis of these problems, Fall 1998 -
present
Senior thesis research on WIMP detection using a liquid xenon detector with Dr. David Cline, Physics Dept, UCLA, 1992-1993
Teaching experience:
Instructor, University of MI fall/2003
- Naked Eye Astronomy (ASTR 127)
Responsibilities included lectures, planetarium presentations, and creation of in-class activities, exams, and projects.
Graduate Student Instructor, University of MI between 1993 - present for
- Naked Eye Astronomy (ASTR 127)
- Intro Solar System (ASTR 101/111)
- Intro Stars and Universe (ASTR 102/112)
- Observational Astronomy (ASTR 125)
Responsibilities involved designing labs, discussion activies, and homeworks, grading, organizing discussion sections, teaching in a planetarium, using the rooftop telescopes with lab students, giving lectures.
Astronomy Tutor for the University of MI Athletic Dept., 1998 - 2002
Graduate Student Mentor - assisting new graduate student instructors
with class preparation, fall 1996
Extensive Observing experience:
Spectroscopic observations with Keck/DEIMOS/LRIS and Subaru/FOCAS
9/2005 - 6/2006 I was a queue observer for the Gemini-N 8m telescope. This involves running all instrumentation in all modes for queue observing programs.
91 nights on the MDM(Michigan, Dartmouth, Columbia, Ohio State) 1.3m and 2.4m telescopes, direct imaging and spectroscopy
Duties included the operation of the telescope, minor maintenance, and trouble shooting. I also co-wrote an observing manual for the 1.3m telescope.
7 nights IR imaging and spectroscopy at the MDM 1.3m
9 nights imaging on the CTIO 1.5m, 6 nights imaging UH 2.2m
Preparation for a multifiber spectroscopy run on the LCO 2.5m
Computer skills:
UNIX operating systems: Sun, Solaris, Linux
Windows PCs
Programming in FORTRAN (10 yrs), HTML, UNIX, Java Script, and IRAF macros
Word processing - LATeX, TeX, vi, emacs, Micr. Word
Image processing and data reduction: IRAF, PyRAF, SM, FOCAS, SExtractor, GALFIT, and various other software programs (Profit, Dynamo)
Volunteer activities
"Astronomy School" activity coordinator for the IfA Open House
Stargazing volunteer at Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
- University of MI Dept of Astronomy Outreach Program:
K-12 Outreach
Image of the month
- Email correspondent to high schoolers contemplating astronomy as a career.
- Volunteer at Great Space Adventures Day for grade K-6 children put on by Michigan Space Grant Consortium.