Physicist and sailor.
EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
PHYSICS AND PHILOSOPHY
2018, Cum Laude
A rigorous double major which developed math, science communication, complex problem solving, and persuasive writing skills.
The Bachelor's study is a thorough training to develop both the necessary skills and broad understanding of the field in preparation to communicate effectively and contribute to the professional community and the world at large.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY
PHYSICS
2020
A thesis track program developing scientists through intense classwork and research.
The Master's thesis research is related to active galactic nuclei, the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, and the surrounding gaseous environment.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS
PHYSICS
2024
A dissertation program consisting of original research which expands the knowledge base of Physics and Astronomy.
The Doctoral dissertation is in the simulation and analysis of gravitational waves under a modification to General Relativity. Additional research contributions in magnetohydrodynamics simulation and modeling of gas dynamics in galactic centers.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Monmouth Lightning Group
This group works to probe and understand the connection between lightning strikes and X-ray emission by utilizing a wide area array of light detectors spread across Illinois and extending into Wisconsin.
My contribution consisted of developing Python code which could process detector data to automatically identify X-ray events in a variety of weather conditions.
Results presented at undergraduate conferences.
Creighton University Observational Astronomy Research Group (CROBAR)
This group studies the processes occurring in active galactic nuclei, the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies which are shredding gas clouds and converting their potential energy into broad spectrum light.
My contribution consisted of simulating outflows very close to the black hole to determine if such outflows are consistent with the best available measurements in literature.
Results presented at undergraduate, graduate, and professional conferences.
Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Networks (TCAN)
This network of research institutions is conducting cutting edge simulations of the environment of the active galactic nucleus. The UNLV node, headed by Dr Daniel Proga, simulate accretion disk winds in thermal instability in order to view mixing modes, calculate extremely detailed line profiles which consider millions of atomic and ionic electron transitions, and probe the limits of the magnetohydrodynamic software Athena++ in search of better insight into what physical mechanisms could be responsible for the latest observations of these extreme objects.
Results presented at professional conferences.
Nevada Center for Astrophysics (NCfA)
This center is conducting revolutionary research in high energy astrophysics and multimessenger astronomy throughout Nevada. Current projects can be viewed at the NCfA website: https://ncfa.physics.unlv.edu/.
The LIGO Virgo KAGRA Collaboration (LVK)
This collaboration conducts cutting edge gravitational wave astronomy using ground-based interferometers all across the globe. My research is quantifying the effects of a graviton particle with nonzero mass (a modification to the usual assumptions of General Relativity) to determine detection limits of the observatory network which would aid in extending the existing constraints on the particle.
Results presented at professional conferences and defended as part of the Doctor of Philosophy dissertation.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Alice & Myron Resnick Scholarship
Marquette University - 2016-2018
Karioris Award
Marquette University - 2017
For dedicated and effective science communication through peer instruction.
Clare Boothe Luce Research Fellowship
Creighton University - 2018-20
Including participation in the Ewha Luce International Seminar leadership seminar for early career gender minorities in STEM disciplines.
American Astronomical Society Chambliss Award
American Astronomical Society Meeting 241 - January 2023, Seattle WA
For exemplary research communication in the interactive poster format.
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
PROGRAMING LANGUAGES
Python
C++
Bash
R
Matlab
Mathematica
LabVIEW
COMPUTER OPERATING ENVIRONMENTS
OSX
Microsoft Windows
TOPIC EXPERTISE
Statistical Analysis for Big Data
Astrophysical Fluids
Computational Physics
Theoretical Astrophysics
Observational Astronomy
Thermodynamics
Optics
Electricity and Magnetism
Quantum Computing
Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy of Language
CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS)
Meeting 244, June 2024, Madison Wisconsin
Contributed dissertation talk
NEVADA CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS (NCFA)
February 2024, Las Vegas Nevada
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS)
Meeting 243, January 2024, New Orleans Lousiana
NEVADA CENTER FOR ASTROPHYSICS (NCFA)
February 2023, Las Vegas Nevada
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS)
Meeting 241, January 2023, Seattle Washington
Chambliss Award recipient
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS)
Meeting 240, June 2022, Pasadena California
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS)
Meeting 237, January 2021, virtual
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS)
Meeting 235, January 2020, Honolulu Hawaii
EWHA-LUCE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR (ELIS)
July 2019, Seul South Korea
AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY (APS)
April 2019, Denver Colorado
NABRASKA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE (NAS)
April 2019, Lincoln Nebraska
AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS)
Meeting 233, January 2019, Seattle Washington
WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY (WIA)
Meeting 4, June 2017, Austin Texas
CONFERENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN PHYSICS (CUWIP)
January 2016, Madison Wisconsin