Outreach
Introduction to Astrophysics Workshop
I firmly believe that the wonders of astrophysics should be accessible to everyone. It should not be necessary to have an extensive background in high-level mathematics or physics to appreciate the amazing ideas this field has to offer. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception that tends to discourage many people from engaging with astrophysics and its related disciplines like mathematics and physics. I am driven break this assumption and to establish avenues that enable young students to immerse themselves in the world of astrophysics, regardless of their prior experience. To do this, in collaboration with Marko Ristić, we have crafted a comprehensive introductory astrophysics curriculum. This curriculum takes the form of a three-part workshop series, where each segment introduces a distinct facet of astrophysical research. Through a blend of engaging lectures and hands-on lab exercises using Python, we aim to ignite curiosity and empower participation. To learn more about this workshop, follow the link below.
Haylli Yunga - Ossining High School
Haylli is a junior at Ossining High School. Together, our goal is to implement compact binary merger waveform solutions using Jax and an effective-one-body Hamiltonian. These solutions will take into account both eccentric and precessing effects. Parameters related to these effects can be difficult to measure accurately, but detecting the presence of these effects in gravitational wave signals may enable astrophysical inferences about the origin of certain compact binary mergers. Currently, there are no existing waveform solutions readily available to parameter estimation pipelines that incorporate both of these effects. Haylli's project allows for a substantial impact in the field within a two-year time frame. To support her, I created a project timeline, guiding her progression through various stages of research as she acquired new skills. I assisted Haylli in mastering the basics of coding in Python, taught her how to extract knowledge from journal articles, translate equations into code, and coached her in scientific writing. Our collaborative efforts during the first year, combined with Haylli's conscientious hard work and eager curiousity, culminated in Haylli winning first place in the physics category at the regional Somers Science Fair. Now in our second year, Haylli won the IBM Visionary Engineering Award at the 2024 Regeneron WESEF. This success exemplifies how personalized guidance can not only catalyze student achievement but also instill confidence in young minds.
