Research Interests

Nearly 200 molecules have been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM) or in circumstellar shells. Of these, roughly one-third are complex organic molecules (COMs) having six or more atoms. COMs include saturated molecules (e.g. ethanol, CH₃CH₂OH) and unsaturated long carbon chains (e.g. cyanohexatriyne, HC₇N). The formation pathways of such molecules are elusive, and understanding chemical evolution in the ISM is a current frontier in astrochemistry. I am interested in investigating the formation pathways of COMs in environments such as the Kleinmann-Low nebula in Orion (Orion KL), a highly active star-forming region. Studying such astrochemical environments is done using telescopes like the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

To learn more about my research interests, telescopes, or my adventures in grad school, check out my website.

Honors & Awards

My full curriculum vitae can be found here.

National Science Foundation National Graduate Research Fellowship, 2016-2021
Fulbright Research Fellowship to Germany, 2015-2016
Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society, Pennsylvania Alpha, inducted 2015
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, 2014-2015