I am a final year NSF graduate research fellow in the Astronomy & Astrobiology dual-title PhD program at the University of Washington. I am interested in how stellar activity influences our ability to both detect and characterize exoplanets.
In collaboration with my thesis advisor Dr. James R.A. Davenport, I use data from Kepler, TESS, and Gaia to study flares on active low mass stars.
Explore research.
I earned my Master's of Science in Astronomy in 2019 from UW. I earned my Bachelor's of Science degree in Astronomy with a minor in Physics in 2017. During my time as an undergrad, I was able to study abroad in Italy and particiapte in an archeoastronomy research project.
I also conducted research at UW through the Pre-MAP program & McNair Program. In addition, I spent a summer doing research at the Harvard Center for Astrophysics through the Banneker Institute Summer Program. Explore CV.
Research
My current research broadly lies at the intersection of stellar variability and its impact on planet detection and characterization.
Specifically, I am using Kepler, TESS, and Gaia data to study the morphology of flares and their energetics. Recently, I developed a publicly available flare template, Llamaradas Estelares, that models the morphology of stellar flares and can be used to model the shapes of flare from various datasets and at various cadences.
Throughout my career I have worked on a number of research projects that have spanned various astronomical subfields including but not limited to: exoplanet atmospheric modeling, time series photometry, and archeoastronomy.
As a graduate student in the Astrobiology dual-title PhD program I have also done field work and participated in the program's astrobiology relevant field trips.
Teaching & Mentorship:
I have been a graduate student teaching assistant for a total of 6 quarters [1 quarter = 10 weeks] during my grad career. I have led sections for both "Intro to Astronomy" [Astro 101] and "The Planets" [Astro 150].
In addition I have been a research mentor for a total of 4 undergraduate students through the Pre-MAP program.
First Generation Graduate Student Advisory Board:
Since 2018, I have been a member of the First Generation Graduate Student Advisory Board (FGSAB). As a board member for FGSAB, I have played a critical advisory role in finding solutions to the hurdles faced by first generation students. In particular, I organized and led a university-wide event called ‘Bridging Family, Culture, and Graduate School’,
where a moderated panel of first generation graduate students shared their lived experiences. The event received universally positive reviews, as indicated by a post-event evaluation
Outreach
Raising e-STEAM:
Since 2021, I have been a volunteer and tutor at Echo Glen Youth Detention Center. Together with my astrobiology colleagues, we started a program "Raising e-STEAM" to support incarcerated youth in WA state, by providing weekly tutoring and summer school STEM labs.
Learn more about our work hereLetters to a Pre-Scientist:
During my time as a graduate student I have also been a pen pal to 4 different students across the USA.
Learn more about then program here
Media
Check out a few of my recorded talks, panels and posters below!
Link to Flare Template
