Astrophysics

Eclipsing binaries, circumbinary planets, and celestial mechanics. I develop robust pipelines for TESS light curves—combining detrending, period validation, eclipse modeling, and rigorous vetting.

Graduate Research Astrophysics Laboratory Datasets & Tools Teaching Tools
Light-curve visualization
STANLEY Pipeline
Automated EB analysis & CBP search for TESS

Graduate Research Assistant

Tufts University • Sep 2024 – present • Supervisor: David Martin

Project Title

A Robust Pipeline for TESS Eclipsing Binaries: Detrending, Period Validation, Eclipse Modeling, and Vetting

  • Optimized the STANLEY algorithm to analyze TESS photometry for a systematic, automated search for circumbinary planets (CBPs).
  • End-to-end framework: gap-aware preprocessing, harmonic removal with model selection, iterative BLS & period refinement, eclipse modeling, and secondary-vetting logic.

Publications

In preparation

  • Lead author: Manuscript describing the STANLEY pipeline's application to TESS Eclipsing Binaries—to be submitted for peer-reviewed publication.
CV Contact

Astrophysics Laboratory

Tufts University • Spring 2025

Modeled Star Spot Modulation of CM Draconis

MCMC Modeling

Posterior inference, trace diagnostics, best-fit overlays.

  • Bayesian parameter inference for light-curve models (priors, likelihood, posterior).
  • Multi-walker chains, burn-in, autocorrelation and trace-based convergence checks.
  • Trace plots, residual QA, and model overlays.
EB population analysis visualization

Eclipsing Binary Populations

Data generation and analysis from synthetic populations.

  • Statistical analysis of population synthesis across periods, eccentricities, and stellar radii.
  • Periods and eccentricities show low p-scores, indicating eclipsing binaries are not representative of the overall population.
  • Stellar radii yield higher p-scores, consistent with the overall population.
Github

Datasets & Tools

Core data products, catalogs, and software used across projects.

Datasets

  • TESS 20-second Target Pixel Files
  • Catalogs ANTIC, Villanova EB
  • Eclipsing Binaries curated for CBP searches & validation

Software & Methods

  • Python NumPy, SciPy, Lightkurve
  • Dynamics Rebound / N-body
  • Statistics Completeness, reliability, SDE diagnostics

Compute

  • HPC SLURM arrays, per-target caching, batch runs
  • Reproducibility notebooks & saved figures for validation

Personal Projects & Teaching Tools

Interactive demos for celestial mechanics, built for outreach and instruction.

Orbital Elements Visualizer

Kepler time evolution, true anomaly, inclination, and node geometry.

  • Interactive ν and t modes
  • Velocity vector and orbital trail
  • Exportable standalone HTML