About Me

me with my first published paper! I am a 3rd year PhD Candidate at the University of Pittsburgh under the supervision of Dr. Carles Badenes. I search for planets around core helium burning stars using transits from the Kepler/K2 missions.

Find my earlier work on the stellar multiplicity of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy here!

Education:
August 2020 - Present: PhD Candidate in Physics, University of Pittsburgh
August 2016 - December 2019: BA in Astrophysics, Minor in Applied Mathematics, Franklin & Marshall College

Publications: ADS

Research

Histogram of DRVmax values measured in the Sgr dSph members (red squares), together with the range of values found in the MW analogs (solid black line for the 50th rank, dark and light shaded regions for the 16th–84th and 2nd–98th ranks, respectively). For illustrative purposes, we highlight a DRVmax value of 1 km/s with a vertical dotted line.

Multiplicity Statistics of Stars in the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy: Comparison to the Milky Way
We use time-resolved spectra from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) to examine the distribution of radial velocity (RV) variations a sample of stars identified as members of the Sagittarius (Sgr) dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy by Hayes et al. (2020) and compare this distribution to stars from the Milky Way (MW) that have the stellar parameters (log(g), Teff , and [Fe/H]) similar to those of the Sagittarius members. We find that the shape of the distribution of RV shifts in Sgr dSph stars is similar to that measured in their MW analogs, but the total fraction of RV variable stars in the Sgr dSph is larger by a factor of ~2, concluding that the fraction of close binaries in the Sgr dSph is intrinsically higher than in the MW.
Publication accepted by the Astrophysical Journal


My current research interests are in the detection of transiting planets around red clump stars using data from the Kepler/K2 missions.

SciCOmm

Adovocating on behalf of the American Astronomical Society at the White House

Service & Outreach:
I am a firm believer that science communication is just as important as the research itself. In order to support current sciencists and foster the communinity of future scientists/science enthusiasts, it is crucial to be able to communicate the importance of science at all levels of understanding. I've done advocacy work with the American Astronomical Society (AAS), where I've spoken with memebers of congress about the importance of funding programs like NASA and the NSF, as well as the importance for the protection of our skies from satellite constellations, which will significantly threatens astronomy unless mitigating actions are taken. I also participate in outreach activities to help educate the public on science, including Astronomy on Tap (AoT) Pittsburgh.

Teaching:
Astronomy 089 Stars, Galaxies, and the Cosmos: TA Fall 2021, Summer 2022,23
Physics 175 Introductory Physics 2: TA Spring 2022
Physics 011 Introductory Physics 1: TA Summer 2022,23

Contact

Email: VEB19@pitt.edu

Address: 3941 O'Hara St Office 500 Pittsburgh, PA 15213