While I do have several memories of star gazing with my family as a child, my career in professional astronomy really began with a strong positive role model: my community college physics and astronomy instructor. In my pursuit to become more like my role model, my educational journey has taken me across the United States with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics/Astronomy at the University of Washington, a PhD in Astronomy from New Mexico State University, and postdoctoral studies at Yale University. In 2020 I joined an independent nonprofit observatory, the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy, as a professional astronomer.
My scientific interests are centered on the evolution and lifecycles of stars—evolved stars in particular—primarily through a technique called asteroseismology. My current research largely focuses on using our co-mounted 36-inch and 14-inch telescopes to do photometric and spectroscopic studies of pulsating stars, as well as instrument and hardware development. With a career-long interest in stellar astronomy, my experience with the AAVSO began as an undergraduate when I first plotted a light curve of Betelguese. Since then, I have often referred to data from the AAVSO to guide my research directions.
I believe my true passion lies in astronomy outreach and education at all levels. I have a strong interest in linking professional astronomers to interested amateurs. In the amateur astronomy world, I am one of the Coordinators of the MIRA Astronomy Club, manage MIRA’s library of loaner amateur telescopes, and, recently, am a fledgling astrophotographer with more telescope access than photography sense.
I bring several unique experiences to the AAVSO Board that will help me perform my duty responsibly. Some of these experiences include: being a PI and Co-PI on several successfully funded NSF and NASA grants, serving as Chair of the Climate and Diversity Committee at Yale, being a member of the 2016 AAS Meetings Task Force, and my general experience with nonprofit operations and budgets. I am looking forward to how I can contribute as the AAVSO moves forward.