About
Paul is a 5th Year PhD Student in the Department of Astronomy. His work focuses on measuring the spin distribution of stellar mass black holes in X-ray binary systems, with the goal of understanding black hole formation and evolution across the entire mass scale. His work involves using theoretical physical models to fit X-ray observations obtained from space telescopes, and connects to gravitational wave observations of mergers of binary black hole systems. Paul’s broader research interests span the entire high energy Universe, ranging from compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes to active galactic nuclei and tidal disruption events. While his current plan for the future involves pursuing a career in academia which combines astrophysics research with science communication, Paul also considers the possibility of a career in the data science industry.
As an international student, Paul is passionate about expanding the access to Astronomy to students from underprivileged backgrounds which were particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In his free time, Paul enjoys practicing olympic archery shooting and photography of landscapes which he discovers through his passion for travel. In contrast to his curiosity driven interest for natural sciences, Paul is a big fan of historic fiction, which he explores through cinematography and video games.
Advisor: Jon Miller
