Contact
Associate Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics
- sivakoff@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 492-7992
- Address
-
2-113 Centennial Ctr For Interdisciplinary SCS II
11335 Saskatchewan Drive NWEdmonton ABT6G 2H5
Overview
About
BSc/BA (2000) Brandeis University, USA
MSc (2001) University of Manchester, UK
MSc (2003) University of Virginia, USA
PHd (2006) University of Virginia, USA
Postdoctoral Researcher, The Ohio State University, USA, 2006-2008
Research Associate, University of Virginia, USA, 2008-2011
Assistant Professor, University of Alberta, 2011-2017
Associate Professor, University of Alberta, 2017-present
Associate Chair of Research (Physics), 2018-present
Research
My primary research focuses on multi-wavelength observations of white dwarfs, neutron stars, stellar-mass black holes, and super-massive black holes (Active Galactic Nucleii), with a strong focus on those sources that are transient and/or variable. My other research interests include the transient radio-through-sub-mm Universe, globular clusters, the intergalactic medium, and data mining. I also have strong interests in Education & Public Outreach.
Teaching
Teaching Areas:
Astronomy, Physics
Teaching Philosophy:
- I want to share the excitement of astronomy with all of my students.
- Mastering concepts is more important than simple memorization.
- Mathematics and problem solving are essential skills, regardless of your major.
Mentoring:
I am a strong believer in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, whether as their official supervisor or as an unofficial mentor.
Please feel free to contact me if you are interested.
Announcements
Scientists Discover Rapidly Wobbling Jet Stream from black hole (CBC Radio Active: 2019-05-01)
What the first ever photo of a black hole means for science (2019-04-10)
Astronomers find first evidence of jets emitted by highly magnetic neutron stars (2018-09-26)
COMMENTARY: New era of astronomy uncovers clues about the cosmos (2018-08-28)
Signaling the arrival of multimessenger astrophysics (2018-07-13)
Counting citizen science, and making citizen scientists count (2018-03-09)
Study shows first evidence of winds outside black holes throughout their mealtimes (2018-01-22)
We now know where heavy matter comes from (Edmonton AM: 2017-10-18)
Star in closest orbit ever seen around black hole (2017-03-13)
U of A astronomers have discovered something they can't explain (Edmonton AM: 2016-10-20)
Burning brightly: UAlberta astronomer aids discovery of ultraluminous X-ray bursts (2016-10-19)
Newly discovered 'stealth' black hole suggests hidden population (2016-06-27)
UAlberta teams with citizen scientists to solve space mystery (2013-05-23)
Courses
PHYS 495 - Special Topics in Physics
The course covers specialized topics of interest to advanced undergraduate students. Consult the Department for details about current offerings. Prerequisites depend on the subject. Credit for this course may be obtained more than once.
PHYS 595 - Special Topics in Physics
This course covers specialized topics of interest to junior graduate students. Consult the Department for details about current offerings. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor. Credit for this course may be obtained more than once.
Scholarly Activities
Research - Very Large Array Sky Survey
As co-chair of the Transients Science Working Group for the Very Large Array Sky Survey, I am working to maximize the scientific and outreach success of this three-epoch seven-year survey of the (northern) sky visible from New Mexico.