Research

My research is focused the interplay between internal and external factors affecting galaxy evolution between z=1 and today, with a focus on dwarf galaxies. Dwarf galaxies have a very wide range of properties and are affected by a variety of physical processes. They are the most abundant galaxies in the Universe, and there is a lot we still a lot we still don't understand about them!

For my research, I often combine observational data (often from HST or JWST) with simulation data to best study my particular research problem.

Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies

A large population of extremely extended dwarf galaxies (dubbed 'Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies,' or UDGs) has been identified by recent surveys with high sensitivity limits. Understanding the formation of these unusual galaxies is compelling, both on its own right as well as within the broader context of dwarf galaxy fromation and evolution.

Dwarf Galaxy Globular Clusters

One of the most interesting properties of UDGs is their significant globular cluster populations. While some have speculated that this is connected witih their dark matter halo properties, the globular cluster-dark matter halo connection is poorly understood for dwarf galaxies. Understanding the connection between globular clusters and dwarf galaxies can give us insight to the process of globular cluster formation, as well as the dark matter halos of dwarf galaxies.

Exragalactic Background Light and SKYSURF

When we point our telescopes at the night sky, we can see many different types of stars and galaxies, as well as many diffuse light foregrounds, like Zodiacal Light and Diffuse Galactic Light. When all the light from all of these objects and foregrounds is summed together, it should equal the total amount of light we see. However, some studies indicate that that is not the case, suggesting that some other light source is missing from our understanding. SKYSURF is a large archival HST project to study this discrepancy - both in terms of better constraining the light from exragalactic sources (the Extragalactic Background Light) and measuring the total level of incoming light.