Research
Numerical Relativity of Neutron Star Binaries
Advisor: Prof. Nils Deppe
Term: Aug 2025 - Present
I work to implement a modified version of the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations in Python to numerically solve theoretical neutron stars with different equations of state (EOS). I have improved the precision of the simulated solutions by performing a rigorous expansion of the coupled ODE’s near the center of the star, and I am currently working to implement this improvement into the C++ SpECTRE code base. I am also investigating neutron star binary waveforms with degenerate tidal deformability factors, but different internal EOS, which will allow me to determine whether future observatories will have a high enough resolution to tell us anything new about neutron star microphysics.
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Observational/Historical Astronomy of Nebular Growth
Advisor: Dr. Amanda Bauer
Term: May 2025 - Aug 2025
I conducted a study that examined the growth of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) over a period of 119 years. I digitized historical M27 observations from the Yerkes glass plate collection and created a data reduction and analysis pipeline in Python to compare these plates with observations I took using the CMOS camera attached to the Yerkes 41” Reflector. I utilized several different Python packages and publicly available astronomy software programs to center each image on the central white dwarf and determine the change in M27’s radius over time.
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Observational Cosmology Calibration and Instrumentation
Advisor: Prof. Abigail Crites
Term: Jan 2024 - May 2025
I implemented a Python calibration pipeline to maximize the number of viable TES Bolometers (TESB) in the TIME detector array. Each TESB required a specific transition temperature anywhere from 450-700 mK due to manufacturing inconsistencies, so I plotted the resistance curves of each column of detectors to determine the optimal current to pass. I also installed the detectors, tested the wiring of the cryostat, used a crane to assemble and disassemble the instrument, and worked on code to control an IR source array on a motor stepper to generate test observational data.