Current Position: Vera C. Rubin Observatory Observing Specialist Postdoctoral Research Associate
PhD Research: My PhD research focused on strong gravitational lensing with galaxy clusters. Specifically, I used quasars strongly lensed by galaxy clusters to measure the current expansion rate of the Universe, the Hubble constant. The Hubble constant is a highly sought after value in cosmology, but precise measurements that rely on various techniques are in significant tension with each other. I presented the first joint measurement of the Hubble constant using all the known quasars lensed by galaxy clusters that had the necessary data to make the measurement. Although the uncertainty in my Hubble constant measurement is too high to discriminate between other precise measurements, I demonstrated that a competitive 1% uncertainty measurement of the Hubble constant from cluster-lensed quasars could be achievable in the next decade with upcoming facilities such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Euclid, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Advisor: Keren Sharon
Exciting Discovery: Quasars strongly lensed by galaxy clusters are inherently rare systems, yet they provide many insights into astrophysics and cosmology, including a Hubble constant measurement. Prior to my PhD, five cluster-lensed quasars were known in the entire Universe. Using the Magellan Telescopes, my collaborators and I discovered three new cluster-lensed quasars.
Why Michigan Astronomy: I chose Michigan because of the Department of Astronomy's breadth of research, access to the Magellan Telescopes, and welcoming and supportive environment.
