Assistant Professor
- BS, Astrophysics, Caltech
- Master's, Astronomy, Wesleyan University
- PhD, Astronomy, University of Texas
I'm an observational astronomer interested in the discovery, characterization, and formation history of gas giant exoplanets, Jupiter-like planets that orbit stars outside our own Solar System. I'm also a member of the science team for a brand new instrument to be placed at the W.M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea in Hawai'i in the next year that will help astronomers better understand planetary systems. I attended Caltech in Pasadena, CA, majoring in Astrophysics for my undergraduate studies, and received my Master's in Astronomy from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. I attended the University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'em!) for my Ph.D. in Astronomy, working with Dr. Adam Kraus to understand the various stages of star and planet formation at their extremes. I am coming to USD from the University of California, Irvine Department of Physics & Astronomy where I was a National Science Foundation Math and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Fellow.
Honors and Affiliations
National Science Foundation Math & Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Fellow
Areas of Interest
Beyond astronomy, my broader educational interests include making classrooms, research projects, and academic environments equitable and inclusive for all participants. My career goal has always been to become a professor at an institution like USD that primarily serves undergraduates and I'm very much looking forward to making physics and astronomy accessible and less intimidating in the classroom for anyone and everyone. I also can't wait to mentor students in research projects, whether it's taking them on telescope observing runs to look at forming planets or preparing for the future of exoplanet studies by simulating observations of future world-class facilities. My hope is that through my teaching, mentoring, and fostering of inclusive environments in the department, I will cultivate and bolster every individual student's science identity and sense of belonging, ultimately enhancing an equitable and thriving STEM culture at USD.