Tell me a little about yourself.
I did my undergrad in Kansas and I've been working for the laboratory of atmospheric and space physics in Boulder for the last 3 years (LASP). I worked on Jupiter, did planetary science for a long time and simultaneously worked on some simulations of the high redshift circumgalactic medium while I was there. Before that I was teaching high school for 4-5 years. Towards the end of LASP, I got interested in cosmology and that is what I am doing my PhD in at New Mexico State University. I love basketball, playing it, watching it, writing about it. I also play the piano.
How did you get interested in astronomy?
I suppose probably two things that got me interested in astronomy. The first was my very last semester in Kansas, where I was a physics major. Astronaut Steve Holly, who went to KU, had just retired, but came back and taught a class. I took his class and it was great, I really liked it. The second reason is that I have always been into Star Trek. I just like science, all science, but I had to buckle down and pick at some point.
What is your favorite part about Copenhagen? DAWN?
I bike everywhere, always in the US, and put some effort out to push cities to make biking easier. Coming here where it is the norm has been wonderful. I like the weather a lot too — it is not too hot here.
I'm coming around to getting to know people at DAWN. Everyone is nice and helpful. It is a nice group of people. The building space is cool and I like the bike ride to get here.
What motivated you to apply to an international REU?
Kristian Finlator, my advisor, suggested I apply. I was deciding between staying at school and coming here, and it seemed like a great opportunity to see a new place. I've never been to this part of Europe.
Can you tell me about your PhD research?
I am doing simulations of reionization. In particular, I'm working on Carbon IV and trying to figure out why simulations are underproducing Carbon IV.
What skills and knowledge would you like to acquire this summer?
Part of my thought process was to get a little bit more observationally minded through my visit to DAWN. I'm also hoping to learn a little bit of Danish. I'm ordering (roughly) in Danish and I can do greetings.
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
I'd like to be able to change my appearance. Like shape shift to be anything, animals, etc. Like Mystique from the X Men.