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

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 including gap-aware preprocessing, harmonic removal with model selection, iterative BLS and period refinement, eclipse modeling, and astrophysical vetting of secondary eclipses.
STANLEY Code Repository

Research Project

Kozai–Lidov Oscillations and General Relativistic Precession in Hierarchical Double White Dwarf Triples

  • Investigated the competition between Kozai–Lidov oscillations and general relativistic precession in hierarchical double white dwarf triples.
  • Developed a phenomenological model for GR suppression and mapped the KL–GR transition across triple architectures and mutual inclinations.
  • Validated the model with N-body integrations using REBOUND and REBOUNDx, finding that the transition depends systematically on hierarchy rather than a universal criterion.
View Manuscript

Publications & Research Outputs

In preparation / Public release

  • Tubthong, W. et al. “Small Circumbinary Planet Abundance.” — Co-author; Kepler circumbinary planet occurrence rates using the STANLEY algorithm (in preparation).
  • STANLEY Code Repository. Public release of the STANLEY circumbinary planet detection pipeline on GitHub (Dec 2025).
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.

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