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Postdoctoral Preceptor
Teaching at the University of Chicago Data
Science Institute and
Researching at the NSF-Simons SkAI
Institute
Visiting Researcher at Adler Planetarium
Creator of NASA Zooniverse project Dark Energy
Explorers
View My CV
The passion behind all my research is to make cutting-edge astrophysics accessible and digestible to the general public, in a way that brings out the inner kid in all of us.
As creator of Dark Energy Explorers, I currently use participatory science, also known as citizen science, in combination with machine learning to enhance the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment while simultaneously bringing the general public the opportunity to participate in astrophysics research. As a part of HETDEX at McDonald Observatory, we are working to create one of the largest maps of the universe ever which will help to narrow down our theories on dark energy.
I am also involved in Astronomy Education Research. I have specialized in developing materials for teaching climate change and interactive instruction for teaching within a planetarium dome. The later was in collaboration with Fiske Planetarium and the Physics Education Research group at CU Boulder
The passion behind all my research is to make cutting-edge astrophysics accessible and digestible to the general public, in a way that brings out the inner kid in all of us.
As creator of Dark Energy Explorers, I currently use participatory science, also known as citizen science, in combination with machine learning to enhance the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment while simultaneously bringing the general public the opportunity to participate in astrophysics research. As a part of HETDEX at McDonald Observatory, we are working to create one of the largest maps of the universe ever which will help to narrow down our theories on dark energy.
I am also involved in Astronomy Education Research. I have specialized in developing materials for teaching climate change and interactive instruction for teaching within a planetarium dome. The later was in collaboration with Fiske Planetarium and the Physics Education Research group at CU Boulder
Currently, I am part-time faculty at The University of Chicago and at City Colleges of Chicago. I teach introductory data science, machine learning, and astronomy to undergraduates at both institutions. As a former community college instructor and planetarium presenter, I have integrated my passion for teaching and public education into my research. Through my current participatory science project, Dark Energy Explorers, I have facilitated workshops for K-12 teachers nationwide with McDonald Observatory. This lecture tutorial is available in the McDonald Observatory Teacher's Guide, and you can find these educational materials on my teaching page if you are interested in incorporating dark energy into your classroom!
Currently, I am part-time faculty at The University of Chicago and at City Colleges of Chicago. I teach introductory data science, machine learning, and astronomy to undergraduates at both institutions. As a former community college instructor and planetarium presenter, I have integrated my passion for teaching and public education into my research. Through my current participatory science project, Dark Energy Explorers, I have facilitated workshops for K-12 teachers nationwide with McDonald Observatory. This lecture tutorial is available in the McDonald Observatory Teacher's Guide, and you can find these educational materials on my teaching page if you are interested in incorporating dark energy into your classroom!
I think sharing my research and excitement about space with the public is just as important as doing the research itself. I have been a part of videos and podcasts for various outlets, including NPR, CBS, NBC, Adler Planetarium, and NASA. In addition, I have written pieces for SCIENCE, Astronomy Magazine, AAS, and Zooniverse. During the summer of 2024, I was funded through the NSF INTERNship program to spend 4 months dedicated to science communication at Adler Planetarium and Zooniverse. I am always looking for new, interesting ways to communicate science. See my full portfolio on my SciCom Page or reach out if you want to collaborate!
I think sharing my research and excitement about space with the public is just as important as doing the research itself. I have been a part of videos and podcasts for various outlets, including NPR, CBS, NBC, Adler Planetarium, and NASA. In addition, I have written pieces for SCIENCE, Astronomy Magazine, AAS, and Zooniverse. During the summer of 2024, I was funded through the NSF INTERNship program to spend 4 months dedicated to science communication at Adler Planetarium and Zooniverse. I am always looking for new, interesting ways to communicate science. See my full portfolio on my SciCom Page or reach out if you want to collaborate!
Allowing people of all racial, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds to not only be exposed but also be a part of STEM is at the forefront of my work. I currently serve on the American Physical Society's Executive Committee for Public Engagement. As part of this committee, we developed an APS-wide statement and a white paper on how to center public engagement within the field of physics. I represented APS in Congress, advocating for increased funding for science. I am part of the leadership team for the Choir Collaboration, which prioritizes the intersection of science and culture. Previously, I interned at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and co-hosted Astronomy on Tap in Austin, which is one of the largest groups in the country, with consistently around 200 participants each month.
Allowing people of all racial, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds to not only be exposed but also be a part of STEM is at the forefront of my work. I currently serve on the American Physical Society's Executive Committee for Public Engagement. As part of this committee, we developed an APS-wide statement and a white paper on how to center public engagement within the field of physics. I represented APS in Congress, advocating for increased funding for science. I am part of the leadership team for the Choir Collaboration, which prioritizes the intersection of science and culture. Previously, I interned at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and co-hosted Astronomy on Tap in Austin, which is one of the largest groups in the country, with consistently around 200 participants each month.
When my head isn't in the stars, I enjoy hiking, biking, baking, crafting, and traveling. I return home multiple times a year to the NC mountains to enjoy the town's vibrant collection of micro-breweries, see the fall colors, spend time with family, and put some miles on my hiking boots. For anyone with a trip to Asheville, NC, in the future, be sure to ask me for my list of recommendations - I will happily share my curated Google Doc full of hometown knowledge!
You will be the first to see these galaxies, stars, meteors, black holes and more!