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I am an assistant professor in the
department of physics and astronomy
at George Mason University .
I am interested in studying local galaxy populations a
means of placing constraints on galaxy evolution models. Since gas is an
important component in galaxies and is directly tied to galaxy evolution through
star-formation processes, I have focused on the nature of gas-rich galaxy
populations. I have led several studies of the HI mass
function and the constraints that gas-rich galaxies place on the local damped
Lyman-alpha absorber population. I have also looked at the connection between
gas in galaxies and in the intergalactic medium as a means of trying to
understand the origin of the intergalactic gas. In an effort to directly
understand the star-formation processes in gas-rich galaxies I have more
recently initiated a project to study local star forming dwarf galxies with
Spitzer. More information on all of these topics can be found at the research
link below.
I have also had the opportunity to get involved in several
exciting teaching and outreach projects which have ranged from working with
middle school teachers to bring an astronomy curriculum into their classrooms to
research on how students learn introductory physics. For more information see
the teaching and outreach link below.
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