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Jay Motka
CONTACT INFORMATION
EMAIL: jaymotka@ufl.edu
OFFICE: NPB 2110
OVERVIEW
I'm a Ph.D. student in the Physics Department at the University of Florida. I also teach physics to undergraduate students as a TA for online and in-person physics labs and, sometimes, as an instructor of an intro physics course.
Originally from India, I graduated from The University of Arizona with a BS in Physics and Astronomy, and my research is focused on theoretical astrophysics: black holes and galaxies, in particular. Apart from Physics, I enjoy writing, cooking, and ballroom dancing!
Education
Bachelor of Science in Astronomy & Physics (with Honors), The University of Arizona, 2023
Research Interests
My research focuses on a range of problems in supermassive black hole (SMBH) and galaxy evolution, including black hole accretion and evolution, the role of galaxy mergers, and the co-evolution of a SMBH and its host galaxy. I use hydrodynamic cosmological simulations to study the mechanism for fueling active galactic nuclei (AGNs, or accreting SMBHs). I also study the role of galaxy mergers in triggering AGN, as well as characterizing AGN duty cycles and other timescales seen in the simulations.
Advisor: Laura Blecha
Publications
K. P. Olsen et al., SIGAME v3: Gas Fragmentation in Postprocessing of Cosmological Simulations for More Accurate Infrared Line Emission Modeling, ApJ, 922, 88 (2021), arXiv:2102.02868.
S. S. Boruah et al., Machine Learning LSST 3x2pt analyses — forecasting the impact of systematics on cosmological constraints using neural networks, preprint (2024), arXiv:2403.11797.
Courses Taught
Instructor:
PHY2048, Physics with Calculus 1
Summer 24
TA:
PHY2049L/PHY2054L, Online Laboratory for Physics 2
Fall 24 - Spring 25
PHY2048L/PHY2053L, Laboratory for Physics 1
Fall 23 - Spring 24
Notable Awards & Honors
Affiliated with the University of Florida:
Grinter Fellowship, 2023
Affiliated with The University of Arizona:
Centennial Achievement Undergraduate Award, 2022
The Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, 2022
Galileo Circle Scholarship, 2022
Vesto M. Slipher Scholarship, 2022
The Weaver Award for Undergraduate Research in Physics, 2022, 2021, 2020
International Tuition Scholarship ($120,000), 2019
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