My research interests include cosmology as well as astronomy and physics education research. Read more about my projects below and check out my group and publications pages.
Cosmology Education Research and Curriculum Development
Powerful new observations and advances in computation and visualization have led to a revolution in our understanding of the structure, composition, and evolution of the universe. These gains have been vast, but their impact on education has been limited. We are bringing new tools and advances to cosmology instruction through research on undergraduate learning in cosmology as well as the development of a series of web-based cosmology learning modules entitled The Big Ideas in Cosmology. My collaborators on this are Kevin McLin at San Francisco State, Lynn Cominsky, Anne Metevier and Carolyn Peruta in the E/PO group at Sonoma State, and Janelle Bailey at Temple.
Research-Based Science Education (RBSE)
I also collaborate with researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage on examining the effect of engaging with authentic scientific data on introductory astronomy students’ attitudes toward science. Check out the RBSE website to learn more about the project and download activities.
The Urban Learner
At Chicago State, we worked to improve astronomy and physics education for urban, minority students by identifying learners' strengths and using that information to build effective curricula. I developed the workbooks for our general physics, modern physics, and astronomy classes, which integrate the various course materials (labs, problem solving, TIPERs, notes) into a package that students find helpful and effective for their learning. Courses are evaluated through content and attitude assessments, analysis of course artifacts, and student interviews.
Global Telescope Network (GTN)
We have access to the Global Telescope Network (GTN), a network of small telescopes that can be controlled over the internet. We used the network for student projects in our Basic Astronomy class at Chicago State, as well as for independent study projects by advanced students. We are studying the effect of the projects on the introductory students' understanding of the practice of science.
ALFALFA
We are part of the Undergraduate Alfalfa Team (UAT), a consortium of more than 20 colleges using the Arecibo radio telescope. Each winter the team travels to the observatory for a workshop and to make observations. Our group is currently analyzing data from the MKW10 galaxy cluster.
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)
One of my main lines of research has been the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB), ancient light from when the universe was very young. Here's a quick description of the CMB, a list of CMB experiments, an overview of CMB data analysis, and a tutorial on CMB physics (theory). My specialty is data analysis. The experiments I have worked on include:
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)
Chicago State students and I have also done some work on active galactic nuclei (AGN), the extremely luminous, highly variable centers of some galaxies, thought to be caused by the infall of material onto a supermassive black hole. Students were involved in optical monitoring of AGN and building telescopes for the VERITAS array.
My Mentors
My postdoctoral mentors were John Carlstrom and John Ruhl. My graduate advisor was Scott Dodelson and the group leader for Python was Mark Dragovan. For 6 summers in college/high school I worked with Ralph Bolin at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Nigel Lockyer supervised my undergraduate honors thesis on improving the design of a Cerenkov detector. Many others have served as mentors along the way.
Cosmology Education Research and Curriculum Development
Powerful new observations and advances in computation and visualization have led to a revolution in our understanding of the structure, composition, and evolution of the universe. These gains have been vast, but their impact on education has been limited. We are bringing new tools and advances to cosmology instruction through research on undergraduate learning in cosmology as well as the development of a series of web-based cosmology learning modules entitled The Big Ideas in Cosmology. My collaborators on this are Kevin McLin at San Francisco State, Lynn Cominsky, Anne Metevier and Carolyn Peruta in the E/PO group at Sonoma State, and Janelle Bailey at Temple.
Research-Based Science Education (RBSE)
I also collaborate with researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage on examining the effect of engaging with authentic scientific data on introductory astronomy students’ attitudes toward science. Check out the RBSE website to learn more about the project and download activities.
The Urban Learner
At Chicago State, we worked to improve astronomy and physics education for urban, minority students by identifying learners' strengths and using that information to build effective curricula. I developed the workbooks for our general physics, modern physics, and astronomy classes, which integrate the various course materials (labs, problem solving, TIPERs, notes) into a package that students find helpful and effective for their learning. Courses are evaluated through content and attitude assessments, analysis of course artifacts, and student interviews.
Global Telescope Network (GTN)
We have access to the Global Telescope Network (GTN), a network of small telescopes that can be controlled over the internet. We used the network for student projects in our Basic Astronomy class at Chicago State, as well as for independent study projects by advanced students. We are studying the effect of the projects on the introductory students' understanding of the practice of science.
ALFALFA
We are part of the Undergraduate Alfalfa Team (UAT), a consortium of more than 20 colleges using the Arecibo radio telescope. Each winter the team travels to the observatory for a workshop and to make observations. Our group is currently analyzing data from the MKW10 galaxy cluster.
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)
One of my main lines of research has been the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB), ancient light from when the universe was very young. Here's a quick description of the CMB, a list of CMB experiments, an overview of CMB data analysis, and a tutorial on CMB physics (theory). My specialty is data analysis. The experiments I have worked on include:
- Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZE): Point sources.
- BOOMERANG: Our group determined that the geometry of the universe is flat, not curved.
- ACBAR: I traveled to the South Pole.
- Python: my thesis.
- MSAM
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)
Chicago State students and I have also done some work on active galactic nuclei (AGN), the extremely luminous, highly variable centers of some galaxies, thought to be caused by the infall of material onto a supermassive black hole. Students were involved in optical monitoring of AGN and building telescopes for the VERITAS array.
My Mentors
My postdoctoral mentors were John Carlstrom and John Ruhl. My graduate advisor was Scott Dodelson and the group leader for Python was Mark Dragovan. For 6 summers in college/high school I worked with Ralph Bolin at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Nigel Lockyer supervised my undergraduate honors thesis on improving the design of a Cerenkov detector. Many others have served as mentors along the way.