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Research
Areas:
Cataclysmic Variable Stars; Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics; White Dwarf
Evolution; White Dwarf Pulsation; Time-Series Analysis
We study both theoretical
and observational aspects of close interacting binary stars and of the
white dwarf stars. Our primary research area is the numerical modeling
of the accretion flows between the interacting close binary stars known
as “cataclysmic variables.” (See link at left!). We model
the fluid dynamics of accretion disks and use the model results to improve
our understanding of the observations of these systems, and to generate
computer animations of cataclysmic variable systems for use in the classroom.
Most recently, I've been working with a team analyzing CV data obtained from the NASA Kepler satellite.
I am also the program
director for the NSF-funded SARA Research Experiences for Undergraduates
site program. The program brings in 10 talented undergraduates from
around the country to work full time for 10 weeks during the summer, working
one-on-one with a faculty mentor from one of the SARA universities.
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