My work is about simulating the history of our cosmos to learn about the physics that shaped it. I develop new tools using supercomputers to explore the rich diversity and complexity of our universe and answer questions that are intractable using traditional pencil-and-paper theory. While the questions I am trying to answer are about physics and cosmology, the problems I am working to solve are actually about algorithms and reducing computational complexity. I have invented a new method for simulating the growth of structure in the cosmos that has allowed us to probe the history of the cosmos at scales 1000 times larger than ever before and which will help us understand the physics that shaped our early universe.
During my time at Berkeley, I have discovered an enormous passion for teaching Astronomy and have served for 3 years as a UGSI for our introductory class, Astro C10. I see myself now as a storyteller as much as a scientist, and I draw immense satisfaction from sharing the story of our cosmos with others. Teaching allows me to get back in touch with the version of myself that is still a curious little kid and reminds me to wrestle with the big mysteries about the nature of everything–the questions that just bubble out of my students but which I often lose sight of in my daily work.
I hope to continue teaching and one day teach astronomy at the highest level and to as large an audience as I can find. For me, that means pursuing a PhD next year. My ultimate goal is to one day earn a professorship at a university where I would have the resources to explore the questions that interest me and the opportunity to share them with others.
Advice for future Astrophysics majors?
Spend as much of your time as possible doing what makes you happy. What is actually most important is taking the time to discover what makes you happy, that's what you should pursue once you graduate. And it's ok if you don't know what that is yet! That's what college is for. Remember that everyone has a different path and has different goals, so there is no use in comparing yourself to anyone except your former self.