Research

I am interested in understanding galaxy evolution through the lens of gas physics and the baryon cycle. My expertise is in UV and optical spectroscopy using long-slit, echelle, slitless grism, and IFU observations. I have observing experience with the Green Bank Telescope, the Keck Telescopes, the Magellan Baade 6.5m Telescope, and the Harlan J. Smith 2.7m Telescope.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow, I studied the production of ionizing photons from massive stars. By directly observing the ionizing stellar continuum of galaxies, I can determine how well models reproduce the observations. Measuring the escape fraction and transmission through the interstellar medium and intergalactic medium informs us about the process of reionization. Unique lensing geometry also allows me to perform intergalactic medium tomography. Read more about my work on the Sunburst Arc.

For my Ph.D., I studied the circumgalactic medium of galaxies, which is the region of space between the intergalactic medium and the galaxy disk. This region houses large-scale gas flows that influence whether or not a galaxy will continue to form stars. I observed these gas flows using QSO absorption-line spectroscopy to investigate the connection between the gas and the galaxy. My work is summarized in two main surveys: Red Dead Redemption and the Bimodal Absorption System Imaging Campaign.

Here is a list of my publications.

JWST Cycle 3 Program

I was awarded time on JWST in cycle 3 to study how star formation occurs in the most extreme environments using the giant low surface brightness galaxy Malin 1.

Student Spotlight

My mentee from the 2022 TAURUS program worked on calculating the star formation rates of galaxies in a group that houses giant gas blobs. Read a short article about their work and learn more about them here.

NASA FINESST Grant

In 2019, I was awarded the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) grant for a period of 2 years to support my research. Read a short article about the award.

I am committed to scientific outreach, social responsibility, and social justice throughout my career. If you would like to read more about this, please click here.

Take a look at my CV.