Blog

8/31/2023

At the end of last year (MARC I), I developed a research question targeted at determining if the results of using different methods of detecting AGNs in dwarf galaxies are consistent with each other. This study could impact the field as a whole by furthering the understanding of the detection of AGNs in dwarf galaxies by showing the differences and similarities between detection methods and leading to new detections and discoveries.

I still do not have a mentor, but I recently emailed two professors at Caltech about guiding me in my project.

9/28/2023

I have been in contact with Dr. Dalya Baron, a researcher at Carnegie Observatories who I was referred to by one of the professors at Caltech. She has helped me find resources for my project, and since then I have begun inputting data about dwarf galaxies containing AGNs and their methods of detection from multiple papers into a spreadsheet.

3/20/2024

After not hearing back from Dr. Baron, I reached out again to Dr. Djorgovski who had originally referred me to her. He isn't able to mentor me but I was able to set up a meeting and I have been working with him on my project.

Now I have almost finished getting my results and I just have to make sure to account for any galaxies that were referenced in multiple papers.

5/29/2024

My results came back showing an interesting correlation between one of the methods that I chose to study and larger mass dwarf galaxies, however statistical tests showed that there wasn't enough data collected to show that any one method was biased towards larger galaxies.

I presented my findings at the MARC Colloquium which was an amazing way to conclude my work over 2 years as well as to see my classmates' final results. Through MARC I have gained a new appreciation for the time and effort that goes into science and research, and it amazes me even more how much we know and how much we still have yet to learn.