Hot Neptune discovery and formation
Discovery of the inflated hot Neptune TOI-2195 A b and its formation from Jovian mass loss during high-eccentricity migration.
About Me
I am a sixth-year Ph.D. candidate studying theoretical astrophysics in the Division of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of California, Los Angeles. I conduct research on astrophysical dynamics with Professors Brad Hansen and Smadar Naoz. I am broadly interested in the dynamical processes that sculpt the observed diversity of exoplanets and exoplanetary system architectures. My current research focuses on the formation and evolution of gas giant planets.
I completed my M.S. in astrophysics in the UCLA Galactic Center Group with Professors Tuan Do and Andrea Ghez. Originally from Michigan, I received my B.S. in physics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In my free time, I like to surf and play competitive Pokémon VGC.
Research
Hot Jupiter formation with eccentric mass loss
Improved modeling of mass loss during high-eccentricity migration may save planets from tidal disruption, enhancing the rate of hot Jupiter formation.
Cold Jupiter eccentricities
The cold Jupiter eccentricity distribution shows evidence for the action of the Eccentric Kozai-Lidov (EKL) mechanism driven by stellar companions.
Analytical Eccentric Kozai-Lidov models
Analytical solutions for long-timescale eccentricity evolution at octupole-order in hierarchical three-body systems, with applications from planetary to galactic scales.