Biographical Info
Research
I completed a B.A. degree in astronomy and physics in 2013 at the University of Virginia.
I worked with Dr. Steve Majewski to analyze data from the SDSS Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE). I began by evaluating the APOGEE target selection criteria, and examined the effects of the dereddening algorithm being applied to the input data drawn from the 2MASS photometric catalog. This work helped us to evaluate any possible metallicity bias in derived APOGEE stellar populations.
I have also focused on studying the kinematics and stellar populations of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy, mapping the velocity dispersion and metallicity profile within the central few degrees of this galaxy to test the membership criterion based on color-magnitude and radial velocity distributions for more than a thousand stars targeted by APOGEE.
I am interested in extragalactic astronomy, and began working with Dr. Jon Holtzman in the extragalactic group during the summer of 2013, continuing to focus on data from the SDSS APOGEE survey.
Publications
The Tenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Spectroscopic Data from the SDSS-III Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment
Christopher P. Ahn et al. 2014, Astrophysical Journal Supplements, 211, 17
Target Selection for the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE)
G. Zasowki et al. 2013, Astronomical Journal, 146, 81
APOGEE Observations of the Center of the Sagittarius dSph Galaxy
Sten Hasselquist et al. 2013, AASMA, 221, 242.01
Characterization of a Large Sample of Be-type Emission-line Stars with SDSS-III/APOGEE
Drew Chojnowski et al. 2013, AASMA, 221, 144.08
Meetings Attended
- Meeting 1
- Meeting 2
Teaching and Outreach Activities