Profile

Research physicist versed in analytic and numeric modeling techniques with:

• a proven track-record of successful project completion, both independently and within collaborations.
• a demonstrated ability to apply analytical and problem solving skills in a wide range of contexts.
• an extensive background in authoring scientific computing applications.
• excellent oral and written communication skills, with a particular aptitude for explaining technical subject matter to non-specialists.
• small-group management and mentoring experience.

Education

• Ph.D. in Physics, Prestigous U., 2002
• B.S. in Physics, summa cum laude, Not-so-Pretigous U., 1996

Work Experience

• Postdoctoral Associate, Northwestern University, Department of Physcs & Astronomy , 2002-Present
  • Independently designed and implemented a flexible, 9000 line C++ stellar binary evolution code, producing three peer-reviewed journal articles and two conference proceedings.
  • Developed a rapid, customizable software setup process for new Mac OS X workstations and an automatic software replication facility for an OS X lab.
  • Delivered 14 external presentations, including invited review talks at national and international conferences to non-specialist audiences.
  • Formulated and successfully advised a summer undergraduate research project.
  • Served as a peer-reviewer for the Astrophysical Journal and the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
  • Provided critical feedback on multiple grant applications and oral presentations for departmental colleagues.
• Adjunct Faculty, City College, Department of Physics, 2000-2001
  • Authored extended lecture notes to provide supplementary explanations of core course concepts in a freshman physics course. These notes were considered the most useful course resource by the students.
  • Developed curriculum and taught a supplemental calculus-based physics section.
  • Concurrently undertook an independent study course on "active learning" instruction methods for physical science education.
• Teaching Assistant, Prestigous U, 1998-2003
• Soccer Referee, Self-employed, 1993-2007
  • Developed expert proficiency in critical officiating skills: rapid and impartial decision making under pressure, enforcing decisions diplomatically, reading and managing participants’ emotions, and working effectively with other members of the officiating team.
  • Worked matches at levels from youth to NCAA Division I and lower-division professional.
  • Co-assigned game officials for three 1500+ assignment-slot youth soccer tournaments, ensuring complete coverage of all matches with appropriately skilled officials.

Awards

• Science Principal Investigator, NASA Chandra X-ray Center Cycle 32 Theory Grant ($87,000), 20031
• Finalist: Veni Postdoctoral Fellowship, NWO (The Netherlands), 2005
• Finalist: PPARC Postdoctoral Fellowship, PPARC (United Kingdom), 2002
• Phi Beta Kappa, UNC, 1998
• Research Intern, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 1997
• Teaching Excellence Awards Committee, UNC, 1997
• Student Representative, Curriculum Committee, UNC, 1996-1997

Technical Skills

Programming and Mark-up Languages:C/C++ (Expert), LaTex (Expert), FORTRAN (Proficient), HTML (Proficient), bash (Proficient), Python (Novice), Ruby (Novice), XML/XSLT (Novice).

Systems Administration:Linux, Mac OS X, Mac OS X server.

Technical Applications and Numerical Methods:Mathematica, R, GRI, Finite differencing schemes (both explicit and implicit evolution), Monte Carlo methods, Numerical Integration of ODE's, Optimization/Least-Squares Methods.