|
LLNL
7000 East, L-413
Livermore, CA 94550
(925) 422-9150 (wk)
UCSC, Dept of Astrophysics
1156 High St, M/S UCOLick
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
(831) 459-3979 (wk)
|
KIRSTEN M. HOWLEY
|
kirsten.howley@gmail.com
kirsten@ucolick.org
www.ucolick.org/~kirsten/
|
EDUCATION
Ph.D.
M.S.
B.A.
|
Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Physics &
Astrophysics
|
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
|
expected:2010
2006
2003
|
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
|
Graduate Student Researcher
|
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Advised by Professor Puragra Guhathakurta
|
Investigating the stellar kinematics of individual red giant branch stars in the compact elliptical galaxy M32
| |
Designing observing masks for the Keck II DEIMOS spectrograph
| |
Observing targets on Keck II DEIMOS
| |
Analyzing individual spectra to obtain stellar kinematics
| |
Building IDL routines to reduce long-slit spectra
| |
Creating IDL scripts to analyze the data and disentangle M31 and M32 stars
| |
Writing the research paper
|
|
2007 - present
|
|
|
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
Advised by Professor Puragra Guhathakurta
|
Investigating the interaction between the dwarf elliptical galaxy, NGC205, & M31 via a restricted N-body simulation
| |
Building IDL & Fortran routines to simulate the interaction
| |
Optimizing the search of the larger parameter space defining NGC205's orbit by employing a genetic algorithm
| |
Managing the simulation on UVic's LLaima Cluster
| |
Presenting the work at conferences
| |
Writing the research paper
|
|
2005 - 2008
|
|
|
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
Advised by Professor Gregory Laughlin
|
Exploring orbits in a M=2 singular isothermal disk (constant temperature disk with surface mass density inversely proportional to radius and 2-fold symmetric periodic function)
| |
Designing movies to demonstrate the evolution of the orbits for variable eccentricities and initial phase space positions
|
|
2004
|
|
Research Assistantships
|
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Astrophysics Group
Advised by Professor George Smoot
|
Ascertaining the presence or absence of lensing events caused by cosmic strings in the HST GOODS fields
| |
Simulating synthetic strings and testing our efficiency at identifying them using IDL
|
|
2002 - 2004
|
|
|
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Astrophysics Group
Advised by Professor George Smoot
|
Creating and measuring weak shear caused by gravitational lensing in simulated galaxy fields using MATLAB
| |
Testing and comparing the 3 main analysis tools used to measure weak lensing shear
| |
Training new students on how to use the analysis tools
|
|
2002 - 2004
|
|
| Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley
Advised by Stewart Bowyer
|
Analyzing EUVE and EURD data to determine the source of extreme ultraviolet emissions in Abell 2199 and Abell 1795
| |
Comparing EUV emissions with x-ray emissions to test for any correlations
|
|
2001 - 2002
|
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
|
Instruction
|
COSMOS: Stars, Sight & Science
University of California, Center for Adaptive Optics
|
Lecturing on stellar structure and globular clusters to high school students
| |
Overseeing an intense research project on globular clusters involving observation, data reduction and analysis
| |
Employing a "hands on" methods for exploring the nature of stellar evolution and globular clusters
| |
Helping students develop a Powerpoint presentation to give to their peers and high school
|
|
2008
|
|
|
COSMOS: Stars, Sight & Science
University of California, Center for Adaptive Optics
|
Constructing and presenting lectures focused on stellar structure and globular clusters to high school students
| |
Overseeing an intense research project on globular clusters involving observation, data reduction and analysis
| |
Developing a "hands on" methods for exploring the nature of stellar evolution and globular clusters
| |
Organizing instruction materials and designing a website for future instructors: http://www.ucolick.org/~kirsten/COSMOS05/
|
|
2005
|
|
Teaching Assistantships
|
Observational Astronomy
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
|
Instructing students through observational astronomy laboratory assignments
| |
Preparing and presenting material reviews for examinations
| |
Grading class projects and examinations
| |
Tutoring students in their assignments
| |
Performing lectures for the professor in her absence
|
|
2006
|
|
|
The Violent Universe: Cosmic Catastrophes & Life on Earth
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
|
Designing and maintaining a class website
| |
Preparing and presenting material reviews for homework and examinations
| |
Grading homework, class projects and examinations
| |
Tutoring students in their assignments
| |
Performing lectures for the professor in his absence
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Overview of the Universe
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
|
Preparing and presenting material reviews for homework and examinations
| |
Grading homework, class projects and examinations
| |
Tutoring students in their assignments
|
|
2006
|
|
|
The Violent Universe: Cosmic Catastrophes & Life on Earth
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
|
Designing and maintaining a class website
| |
Preparing and presenting material reviews for homework and examinations
| |
Grading homework, class projects and examinations
| |
Tutoring students in their assignments
| |
Performing lectures for the professor in his absence
|
|
2005
|
|
|
Light, Color & Vision
University of California, Santa Cruz, Dept of Astrophysics
|
Designing and maintaining a class website
| |
Preparing and presenting material reviews for homework and examinations
| |
Grading homework, class projects and examinations
| |
Tutoring students in their assignments
| |
Performing lectures for the professor in his absence
|
|
2005
|
HONORS & AWARDS
| Graduate Fellowships |
Lawrence Scholars Program (LSP) Award
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Formerly the SEGRF Fellowship. This award is given to top students to conduct their research at the laboratory while completing their thesis
|
2008-2010
|
|
Kavli Institute for Theortetical Physics (KITP)
University of California, Santa Barbara
Each semester, 3 fellowships are awarded to outstanding graduate students to fund participation in workshops and research at the Institute
|
2006
|
|
Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship
University of California, Santa Cruz
Each year, a limited number of students entering a UC PhD program are nominated for and awarded this prestigious UC fellowship
|
2004 - 2006
|
| Student Internships |
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Student appointed position with the lab to conduct research in the field of astrophysics.
|
2007
|
| Honorable Mentions |
FORD Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
|
2007
|
|
Graduate Research Symposium
University of California, Santa Cruz
|
2006
|
|
FORD Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
|
2006
|
|
Research Fund Award
|
Alliances for Graduate Education in the Professoriate
University of California, Santa Cruz
|
2006
|
| Associate Member
|
Sigma Xi
University of California, Berkeley.
|
2003 - 2004
|
|
Undergraduate Awards
|
NASA Space Grant Fellowship
Space Sciences Laboratory, Berkeley, California
|
2001
|
|
Schwartz, A& H Scholarship
University of California, Berkeley
|
2000
|
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
"Stellar Kinematics of M32," Kirsten Howley, Basilio Yniguez, Raja Guhathakurta, Jason Kalirai, Evan Kirby, & Marla Geha. 2009, in prep
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm," Kirsten M. Howley, Marla Geha, Raja Guhathakurta, Ryan Montgomery, Gregory Laughlin, & Kathryn V. Johnston. 2008, ApJ, 683, 722
SUCCESSFUL PROPOSALS
"Kinematics of Inner Disk and Bulge of the Andromeda Galaxy, Keck Observing Proposal, PI: Guhathakurta, Co-I: Kirsten Howley, 2008
ABSTRACTS
"Stellar Kinematics in the Region of M32", Howley, K., Yniguez, B., Guhathakurta, P., Kalirai, J., Kirby, E., Geha, M. 2009, American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting 213, 317.04
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", Howley, K., Geha, M., Guhathakurta, P., Montgomery, R., Laughlin, G., & Johnston, K.V. 2008, American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts, 211, 26.07
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", Howley, K., Geha, M., Guhathakurta, P., Montgomery, R., Laughlin, G., & Johnston, K.V. 2007, American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts, 209
"Unraveling NGC 205's Interaction with Andromeda (M31)", Howley, K., Guhathakurta, P., Montgomery, R. & Lauglin, G. 2006, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, No. 4, 1154
PRESENTATIONS
"Stellar Kinematics in the Region of M32", American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting, 5 Jan 2009
"The Tidally Distorted Satellites of the Andromeda Galaxy", Friday Lunch Astrophysics Seminar (FLASH) at the University of California, Santa Cruz, 18 Jul 2008
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics (INPA) Seminar, 30 May 2008
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting, 8 Jan 2008
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) IGPP Colloquium, 14 Dec 2007
"Dynamical Modeling of Tidally Distorted M31 Satellites", Spectroscopic and Photometric Landscape of Andromeda's Stellar Halo (SPLASH) Team Meeting at the University of California, Santa Cruz, 21 Sept 2007
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Summer Student Presentations, 7 Sept 2007
"The Galaxy Dance: Exploring the Orbit of NGC 205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", 3rd Annual Graduate Research Symposium, University of California, Santa Cruz, 22 May 2007
"Dwarf Ellipticals & Galaxy Formation: Unraveling the Interaction between Andromeda & NGC205", Cosmology in Northern California 2007 (CINC'07), 11 May 2007
"Unraveling NGC 205's Interaction with Andromeda (M31)", Friday Lunch Astrophysics Seminar (FLASH) at the University of California, Santa Cruz, 9 Mar 2007
"Unraveling NGC 205's Interaction with Andromeda (M31)", AAPT-AAS Joint Meeting, 9 Jan 2007
"Unraveling NGC 205's Interaction with Andromeda (M31)", UCSB AGN/Lensing Lunch Talk, 4 Dec
2006
"Unraveling NGC 205's Interaction with Andromeda (M31)", Theoretical Astrophysics in Southern
California (TASC), 20 Oct 2006
"Unraveling the Interaction between Andromeda & NGC205", Graduate Research Symposium at the
University of California, Santa Cruz, 2 Jun 2006
"Women of Color in the Sciences Colloquium", Colloquium at the University of California, Santa
Cruz, 29 May 2006
"M=2 Singular Isothermal Disks", FLASH at the University of California, Santa Cruz, 19 Nov 2004
"Weak Lensing Methods", Presentation at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 27 Feb 2004
POSTERS
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", 9th Annual Lawrence Scholars Program (LSP) Poster Symposium, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7 Oct 2008
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", UCSC Postdoc Conference, 20-22 Aug 2008
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", 4th Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium, University of California, Santa Cruz, 16 May 2008
"Darwin Tames an Andromeda Dwarf: Unraveling the Orbit of NGC205 Using a Genetic Algorithm", Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Student Research Symposium, 9 Aug 2007
"The Search for Cosmic Strings", Ihm, M., Howley, K., Zuniga, L., Lamoureux, J., & Smoot, G.,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 2004 Student Poster Session, 2004
"Weak Gravitational Lensing by Clusters of Galaxies", Howley, K., Guedes, J., & Raburn, D. 5th Annual Spring Poster Session, 4
Apr 2003
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Graduate Student Orientation, University of California, Santa Cruz, 23 Sept 2008, Volunteer
Graduate Admissions Committee, Astronomy/Astrophysics Department, University of California,
Santa Cruz, 2008, Graduate Student Representative
Graduate Council, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2008, Graduate Representative
Graduate Student Association (GSA), University of California, Santa Cruz, 2008, Internal Vice
President
Graduate Student Commons Board Governance, University of California, Santa Cruz, 2007-2008, Graduate Representative
Student of Color Conference, University of California, Santa Cruz, 10-12 Nov 2007, Workshop Designer, Workshop Presenter & Volunteer
Graduate Student Association (GSA), University of California, Santa Cruz, Fall Quarter 2007, Secretary
Graduate Student Orientaion, Diversity Panel, University of California, Santa Cruz, 9 Sept 2007, Speaker
"Mastering the PhD Process", UC LEADS Workshop, University of California, Santa Cruz, 6 Apr 2007 & 4 May 2007, Organizer & Presenter
"Women of Color in the Sciences Colloquium", Colloquium at the University of California, Santa
Cruz, 29 May 2006, Head Organizer & Presenter
"Excellence Through Diversity", Chancellor Denice Denton's Inaugural, 3 Nov 2005, Organizer &
Facilitator
UCSC 1st Annual Diversity Dinner, 10 Oct 2005, Speaker
University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees Program (UCLEADS)
Symposium, San Francisco, CA 5-6 Oct 2005, Speaker
California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education, University of the Pacific, Stockton, 30 Oct
2004, Speaker
"National Analysis of Diversity in Science and Engineering Faculties at Research Universities",
Briefing at the House of Representatives, 15 Jan 2004, Speaker
SKILLS
O/S: Linux, Unix, MacOS, Windows
Software: SAOimage (ds9), SExtractor, IRAF, DAOPHOT
Languages: IDL, MATLAB, FORTRAN, LaTeX, Python, PBS, LAM/MPI
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Astronomical Society (AAS), Associate Member
Alliances for Graduate Education in the Professoriate (AGEP)
National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP)
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans (SACNAS)
|
