This is the unofficial website of the NSF AAPF program, run by the fellows themselves. For official information about the fellowship, please go to the NSF program announcement.
Galaxy evolution is driven by where, when and how stars form. In particular, the flow of material through the interstellar medium (ISM)—from diffuse plasma to molecular, star-forming clouds—is crucial. I use sensitive radio observations of neutral hydrogen (HI) and molecular gas to trace this flow in the Galactic and Magellanic ISM.
During the NSF AAPF, I will use high-resolution observations of neutral gas and machine learning tools to characterize reddening by interstellar dust in the Milky Way. In addition, the synthesis of ISM tracers built for this effort will provide a unique, multi-dimensional view of the structure of dusty, neutral gas and its role in star formation.
I am interested in increasing public engagement with science! I plan to develop an outreach program to promote stargazing in urban settings. The program, Bright Sky Astronomy (BSA), will include online educational materials directing people to celestial objects visible in strongly light-polluted areas, including Solar System and near-Earth objects, incorporating existing mobile and web-based software for tracking objects, as well as affordable tools for enhancing observer experiences. These materials will be developed as part of existing outreach programs at JHU, and as part of a series of educational summer presentations at nearby state parks in Maryland inspired by the successful "Universe in the Park" program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.