Research Interests
I study extreme astrophysical systems (particularly, infant supernovae and black holes) in order to use them as probes of high-energy and gravitational phenomena. My research on supernovae focuses on high-cadence observations shortly after explosion to assess impacts of shock physics and compact central remnants, such as magnetars. My work on black holes is centered on the photon ring, a unique spin-sensitive strong-gravity signature that will be made accessible by the upcoming BHEX spacecraft. As a Miller Fellow, I want to more deeply understand what statements can be made about fundamental physics (especially general relativity) from groundbreaking new observations of these central engine-driven systems, made possible by projects such as Rubin, VLBA-Large, and BHEX.
Hosts: Daniel Kasen, Raffaella Margutti
Ph.D. Institution: UC Santa Barbara
