About Me

I am a PhD Candidate at Brigham Young University using machine learning to advance our understanding of brown dwarf atmospheres.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Physics and Astronomy from Brigham Young University (BYU), with a minor in Computer Science. I discovered my passion for programming during my first coding class, which quickly became an essential skill throughout my studies and research.

My research background spans several areas, including planetary dynamics, galactic structure, and brown dwarf atmospheres. I’ve had the privilege of coauthoring several research papers and presenting my work twice at the American Astronomical Society conference. I also participated in BYU’s Honors Program, taking on an interdisciplinary curriculum alongside my major and minor coursework.

In addition to my scientific work, I spent three years as a teaching assistant for BYU’s American Heritage course, where I taught over 150 students topics in American history, politics, and economics. One of my key contributions in this role was developing a shared database of multiple-choice testing materials to improve collaboration between the eight professors teaching the course.

Now, as a PhD candidate, I’m exploring how machine learning can enhance brown dwarf identification and improve atmospheric modeling. I’m passionate about applying computational tools to advance our understanding of the universe.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I enjoy creative writing and playing the organ!