My Research
Ongoing Dissertation Work
An important phase of binary star evolution wherein the companion star is engulfed by the outer layers of the expanding primary is called the common envelope (CE) phase. During this phase, the two stars exchange energy and angular momentum which may eventually cause the envelope to be ejected from the system altogether. I study how the efficiency of the ejection process is affected by convection and radiative losses.
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The CE phase is the primary theorized mechanism for producing short-period, compact binaries. The inclusion of convection and radiative losses allows the companion to travel deeper into the envelope before ejecting it, resulting in predicted final separations which are consistent with M-dwarf+WD populations (see Wilson & Nordhaus 2019) and known double white dwarf (DWD) systems (see Wilson & Norhaus 2020).
Ongoing Education Research
In addition to astrophysics research, I am also active in education research. My current project with Co-Is Dr. Jason Nordhaus and Dr. Jessica Trussell aims to increase the accessibility of introductory physics classrooms for deaf and hard-of-hearing students through development and documentation of conceptually accurate signs.
Other Research Topics
While my dissertation work focuses on theoretical binary stellar astrophysics, I also have contributed to several astrophysics projects on the following topics:
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Isochronal analyses of several nearby young moving groups
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Thermal pulses in AGB stars
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WD planetary systems
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Effect of personal demographics on persistence in college major