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
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 Areas:
Astronomy, Physics
Teaching Philosophy:
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.
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)
Application of physics to stellar formation and stellar evolution; theoretical models and observational comparisons of main sequence stars, white dwarf stars, neutron stars, supernovae, black holes; binary star systems, stellar atmospheres and stellar spectra. Prerequisites: MATH 115, 118, 136, 146 or 156, and one of PHYS 124, PHYS 144, or EN PH 131, and one of PHYS 126, PHYS 146, or PHYS 130. Pre or corequisite: any 200-level PHYS course. Some additional knowledge of astronomy (ASTRO 120 and/or 122) is advantageous.
Fall Term 2022As 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.