About Me

I am a Ph.D. Candidate and (past) NSF GRFP fellow at the University of Notre Dame in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. My research focuses on the direct imaging of exoplanets and cold exoplanet demographics.

I received my M.S. degree from Notre Dame in January 2022. I got a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Missouri State University in May 2017.

In my free time I love skiing, cross-stitching, and playing music (I play flute, banjo, ukulele, and piano).

I'm graduating soon!

Research

  • Exoplanet Demographics Simulations

    Developing realistic planet population simulations for use in direct imaging yield calculations

  • Observations of Astrometric Accelerating Stars

    Combining astrometric accelerations, radial velocity measurements and direct imaging follow-up to detect planetary and brown dwarf companions as well as constrain masses and 3D orbits

  • Occurrence Rates of Cold Giant Planets

    Using long-term radial velocity trends and high-contrast imaging follow-up to calculate an occurrence rate of giant planetary companions to K stars

Publications

The McDonald Accelerating Stars Survey (MASS): Discovery of a Long-period Substellar Companion Orbiting the Old Solar Analog HD 47127

Bowler, B., Endl, M., Cochran, W., et al. 2021, The Astrophysical Journal Letters

Toward Complete Characterization: Prospects for Directly Imaging Transiting Exoplanets

Stark, C., Dressing, C., Dulz, S., et al. 2020, The Astronomical Journal

Joint Radial Velocity and Direct Imaging Planet Yield Calculations: I. Self-consistent Planet Populations

Dulz, S., Plavchan, P., Crepp, J., et al. 2020, The Astrophysical Journal

The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) Mission Concept Study Final Report

Gaudi, B. S., Seager, S., Mennesson, B., et al. 2020, arXiv:2001.06683

Selected Talks

Direct Imaging of Substellar Companions to Accelerating Stars
Great Lakes Exoplanet Area Meeting,
November 2022

Cold Exoplanets: Ground-based Direct Imaging and Population Studies Planning for Future Space Missions
Missouri State University Departmental Seminar
March 2021

Self-Consistent Planet Populations for Direct Imaging Space Missions
Exoplanet Demographics conference (NExSci, IPAC/Caltech)
November 2020

Planet Population Demographics for Radial Velocity and Direct Imaging Yield Calculations
American Astronomical Society meeting
June 2019