Education
PhD, Astrophysics
A Pathway to Earth-like Worlds: Overcoming Astrophysical Noise Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), UK Oct 2010 – Jan 2014 |
B.S Physics, Emphasis in Astronomy, Minor in Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude
Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), USA Aug 2006 – May 2010 |
Research Experience
Feb 2020 - Present: UKRI Future Leader Fellow, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, UK
Are we alone in the Universe? The goal of my research is to help overcome the remaining hurdles on the quest to answer this age-old question. Since the discovery of extra-solar planets in the 1990s, we have found thousands more, yet the confirmation of a true Earth-twin still evades us. It is our present knowledge of Sun-like stars that poses the fundamental limitation on this quest; the surfaces of such stars are engulfed with boiling plasma, which generates inhomogeneities and manifests as ‘noise’ that completely swamps the signal from Earth-like planets. My aim is to find new techniques to overcome this noise and develop a pathway to the confirmation and characterisation of habitable alien worlds.
Aug 2016 - July 2020: CHEOPS Research Fellow, Geneva Observatory, University of Geneva , CH
My aim is to enable the future confirmation of Earth-analogues, and to better understand planetary migration and evolution by disentangling stellar and planetary signatures. I am studying stellar surface granulation from a two-pronged perspective: using transiting planets to resolve stellar surfaces (Cegla et al. 2017), and simulating stellar surfaces with state-of-the-art 3D simulations to gain insight into the underlying physics (Cegla et al. 2018, Cegla et al. 2019).
Oct 2013 – July 2016: Leverhulme Trust Fellow, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, UK
I worked to minimise astrophysical noise in exoplanet RV follow-up using forward modelling from state-of-the-art 3D MHD simulations and spectral line synthesis (Cegla et al. 2015a). I also examined the impact of granulation on spin-orbit measurements (Cegla et al. 2016a) and developed a new technique more robust to convective effects (Cegla et al. 2016b).
Jan 2015 – June 2015: Visiting Research Scientist, Geneva Observatory, University of Geneva, CH
I used planetary transits to analyse the stellar photosphere behind the planet. In doing so, I also studied differential stellar rotation effects, and pioneered a new RM modeling technique capable of determining the true 3D spin-orbit geometries of star-planet systems (Cegla et al. 2016b).
Oct 2010 – Sept 2013: PhD Student, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, UK
I undertook my PhD with Dr Chris Watson to mitigate the effects of small-scale astrophysical noise in magnetically ‘quiet’ low-mass stars. I developed a parameterised model of granulation (Cegla et al. 2013) to simulate realistic (MHD-based) observations and develop noise removal techniques. I also explored other potential noise sources, such as variable gravitational redshift (Cegla et al. 2012). In collaboration with Prof. Keivan Stassun at Vanderbilt University, I also formulated an empirical relationship between the photometric and spectroscopic noise for quiet stars (Cegla et al. 2014).
Summer 2009: Research Assistant, Department of Physics/Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, USA
Worked with Prof. Keivan Stassun and Dr. Leslie Hebb to determine the orbit and the minimum masses of MML 53, a new low-mass pre-main sequence eclipsing binary (Hebb, Cegla et al. 2011).
Spring 2009: Research Assistant, Department of Physics, Keele University, UK
Worked with Prof. Pierre Maxted on an algorithm to distinguish dwarf and giant stars for the SuperWASP survey to aid in planet confirmation (Maxted et al. 2010).
Summer 2008: Research Assistant, Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, USA
Worked with Prof. Bo Reipurth and Dr. Josh Walawender to commission VYSOS-5, a robotic (Stellarvue SV135 triplet refractor) telescope in the Variable Young Stellar Object Survey.
Summer 2007: Research Assistant, Department of Physics, University of North Dakota, USA
Worked with Prof. Tim Young on a search for transiting exoplanets.
Are we alone in the Universe? The goal of my research is to help overcome the remaining hurdles on the quest to answer this age-old question. Since the discovery of extra-solar planets in the 1990s, we have found thousands more, yet the confirmation of a true Earth-twin still evades us. It is our present knowledge of Sun-like stars that poses the fundamental limitation on this quest; the surfaces of such stars are engulfed with boiling plasma, which generates inhomogeneities and manifests as ‘noise’ that completely swamps the signal from Earth-like planets. My aim is to find new techniques to overcome this noise and develop a pathway to the confirmation and characterisation of habitable alien worlds.
Aug 2016 - July 2020: CHEOPS Research Fellow, Geneva Observatory, University of Geneva , CH
My aim is to enable the future confirmation of Earth-analogues, and to better understand planetary migration and evolution by disentangling stellar and planetary signatures. I am studying stellar surface granulation from a two-pronged perspective: using transiting planets to resolve stellar surfaces (Cegla et al. 2017), and simulating stellar surfaces with state-of-the-art 3D simulations to gain insight into the underlying physics (Cegla et al. 2018, Cegla et al. 2019).
Oct 2013 – July 2016: Leverhulme Trust Fellow, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, UK
I worked to minimise astrophysical noise in exoplanet RV follow-up using forward modelling from state-of-the-art 3D MHD simulations and spectral line synthesis (Cegla et al. 2015a). I also examined the impact of granulation on spin-orbit measurements (Cegla et al. 2016a) and developed a new technique more robust to convective effects (Cegla et al. 2016b).
Jan 2015 – June 2015: Visiting Research Scientist, Geneva Observatory, University of Geneva, CH
I used planetary transits to analyse the stellar photosphere behind the planet. In doing so, I also studied differential stellar rotation effects, and pioneered a new RM modeling technique capable of determining the true 3D spin-orbit geometries of star-planet systems (Cegla et al. 2016b).
Oct 2010 – Sept 2013: PhD Student, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, UK
I undertook my PhD with Dr Chris Watson to mitigate the effects of small-scale astrophysical noise in magnetically ‘quiet’ low-mass stars. I developed a parameterised model of granulation (Cegla et al. 2013) to simulate realistic (MHD-based) observations and develop noise removal techniques. I also explored other potential noise sources, such as variable gravitational redshift (Cegla et al. 2012). In collaboration with Prof. Keivan Stassun at Vanderbilt University, I also formulated an empirical relationship between the photometric and spectroscopic noise for quiet stars (Cegla et al. 2014).
Summer 2009: Research Assistant, Department of Physics/Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, USA
Worked with Prof. Keivan Stassun and Dr. Leslie Hebb to determine the orbit and the minimum masses of MML 53, a new low-mass pre-main sequence eclipsing binary (Hebb, Cegla et al. 2011).
Spring 2009: Research Assistant, Department of Physics, Keele University, UK
Worked with Prof. Pierre Maxted on an algorithm to distinguish dwarf and giant stars for the SuperWASP survey to aid in planet confirmation (Maxted et al. 2010).
Summer 2008: Research Assistant, Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, USA
Worked with Prof. Bo Reipurth and Dr. Josh Walawender to commission VYSOS-5, a robotic (Stellarvue SV135 triplet refractor) telescope in the Variable Young Stellar Object Survey.
Summer 2007: Research Assistant, Department of Physics, University of North Dakota, USA
Worked with Prof. Tim Young on a search for transiting exoplanets.
Observing Experience
2018/9: 2 nights, VLT-8m, ESPRESSO echelle spectrograph (P.I.)
2014: 6 nights, WHT-4.2m, multi-band photometry with ULTRACAM (P. I.)
2012: 1 night, OHP-1.93m, SOPHIE echelle spectrograph
2009: 11 nights, CTIO-1m, multi-band photometry
2014: 6 nights, WHT-4.2m, multi-band photometry with ULTRACAM (P. I.)
2012: 1 night, OHP-1.93m, SOPHIE echelle spectrograph
2009: 11 nights, CTIO-1m, multi-band photometry
Teaching Experience
Lecturing
Spring 2014: MSci Astrophysics (I): Advanced Topics in Stellar Evolution, QUB
Gave 4 of the 5 weeks of lectures, prepared and assessed one assignment, prepared and assessed one half of the module final exam (note this was a two part module).
Achieved 100% pass rate and a TEQ of 4.66/5.0.
Teaching Assistant/Tutor
2010 – 2013: First year Mathematics for Physicists, QUB
2010 – 2011: First year Computational Laboratory, QUB
2009 – 2010: College Physics, General Physics, MSUM
2007 – 2010: Solar System Astronomy, Stellar Astronomy, MSUM
Spring 2014: MSci Astrophysics (I): Advanced Topics in Stellar Evolution, QUB
Gave 4 of the 5 weeks of lectures, prepared and assessed one assignment, prepared and assessed one half of the module final exam (note this was a two part module).
Achieved 100% pass rate and a TEQ of 4.66/5.0.
Teaching Assistant/Tutor
2010 – 2013: First year Mathematics for Physicists, QUB
2010 – 2011: First year Computational Laboratory, QUB
2009 – 2010: College Physics, General Physics, MSUM
2007 – 2010: Solar System Astronomy, Stellar Astronomy, MSUM
Selected Public Outreach
May 2017 – Current: Geneva Observatory PlanetS Diversity in Science Lunches, Geneva, CH
I lead the organisation of local and international speakers throughout the year, as well as organise local discussion and training sessions relevant to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Aug 2016: Aspen Center for Physics Women’s Lunch, Aspen, USA
I organised the weekly women’s lunch, and initiated the inclusion of all genders to more fully discuss the gender equality issues faced by physicists.
September 2014 – July 2016: Behind the Science, Northern Visions Television, Belfast, UK
Host and presenter of The Science Lab, a series for a Freeview TV channel. I worked to get behind the scenes on numerous science topics. Episodes can be found here.
November 2014: Fantastic Females, W5, Odyssey Arena, Belfast, UK
I spoke with secondary school girls about my journey to become an astrophysicist, why I chose a STEM career, and how they can get involved with research.
April 2014: Mathematics in Astronomy: A Drop in the Bucket, Uppingham School, Uppingham, UK
Lectured students aged 16-18 yrs on how to determine mass and radius from eclipsing, spectroscopic binaries, and encouraged STEM careers.
Oct 2012 – May 2013: Science and Technology Experts in Primary Schools, Northern Ireland
The aim was to bring astronomy into primary schools in Northern Ireland with fun, interactive projects to get students to use their practical reasoning skills and think like a scientist.
Oct 2012: WhoWhatWhereWhenWhy - W5, Odyssey Arena, Belfast, UK
Introducing young students to the life of an astronomer, in particular an exoplanet astronomer.
I lead the organisation of local and international speakers throughout the year, as well as organise local discussion and training sessions relevant to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Aug 2016: Aspen Center for Physics Women’s Lunch, Aspen, USA
I organised the weekly women’s lunch, and initiated the inclusion of all genders to more fully discuss the gender equality issues faced by physicists.
September 2014 – July 2016: Behind the Science, Northern Visions Television, Belfast, UK
Host and presenter of The Science Lab, a series for a Freeview TV channel. I worked to get behind the scenes on numerous science topics. Episodes can be found here.
November 2014: Fantastic Females, W5, Odyssey Arena, Belfast, UK
I spoke with secondary school girls about my journey to become an astrophysicist, why I chose a STEM career, and how they can get involved with research.
April 2014: Mathematics in Astronomy: A Drop in the Bucket, Uppingham School, Uppingham, UK
Lectured students aged 16-18 yrs on how to determine mass and radius from eclipsing, spectroscopic binaries, and encouraged STEM careers.
Oct 2012 – May 2013: Science and Technology Experts in Primary Schools, Northern Ireland
The aim was to bring astronomy into primary schools in Northern Ireland with fun, interactive projects to get students to use their practical reasoning skills and think like a scientist.
Oct 2012: WhoWhatWhereWhenWhy - W5, Odyssey Arena, Belfast, UK
Introducing young students to the life of an astronomer, in particular an exoplanet astronomer.
Invited Talks
2018: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Colloquium – Cambridge, USA
2018: Stockholm University Seminar Series – Stockholm, SE
2018: PLATO Workshop: Stellar variability & characterisation of small planets – Marseille, FR
2018: Observing the Sun as a Star Workshop – Göttingen, DE
2018: Hamburg Observatory Seminar Series – Hamburg, DE
2017: Know Thy Star – Know Thy Planet Conference, Pasadena, USA
2017: Extremely Precise Radial Velocities III, State College, USA
2016: Aspen Center for Physics Workshop Colloquium: Getting to 10 cm/s, Aspen, USA
2016: Cambridge Exoplanet Research Centre Seminar Series, Cambridge, UK
2016: Irish Astronomical Association Lecture Series, Belfast, UK
2015: Penn State Center for Exoplanets & Habitable Worlds Seminars – State College, USA
2014: University of Geneva Seminar Series– Geneva, CH
2014: Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur Seminar Series – Nice, FR
2014: Centro de Astrofisica da Universidade do Porto Seminar Series – Porto, PT
2012: Astrophysics Research Centre Seminar, QUB – Belfast, UK
2010: Armagh Observatory – Armagh, UK
2018: Stockholm University Seminar Series – Stockholm, SE
2018: PLATO Workshop: Stellar variability & characterisation of small planets – Marseille, FR
2018: Observing the Sun as a Star Workshop – Göttingen, DE
2018: Hamburg Observatory Seminar Series – Hamburg, DE
2017: Know Thy Star – Know Thy Planet Conference, Pasadena, USA
2017: Extremely Precise Radial Velocities III, State College, USA
2016: Aspen Center for Physics Workshop Colloquium: Getting to 10 cm/s, Aspen, USA
2016: Cambridge Exoplanet Research Centre Seminar Series, Cambridge, UK
2016: Irish Astronomical Association Lecture Series, Belfast, UK
2015: Penn State Center for Exoplanets & Habitable Worlds Seminars – State College, USA
2014: University of Geneva Seminar Series– Geneva, CH
2014: Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur Seminar Series – Nice, FR
2014: Centro de Astrofisica da Universidade do Porto Seminar Series – Porto, PT
2012: Astrophysics Research Centre Seminar, QUB – Belfast, UK
2010: Armagh Observatory – Armagh, UK
Conference /Meeting Presentations
2018: CoolStars20 – Cambridge, USA (PLENARY TALK)
2018: Exoplanets II – Cambridge, UK (TALK)
2018: Second Rencontres du Vietnam on Exoplanetary Science – Quy Nhon, VT (TALK)
2017: Human Rights, Gender and Alterity Summer School, Geneva, CH (PARTICIPANT)
2017: 5th CHEOPS Science Workshop, Graz, AUT (TALK)
2017: UK Exoplanet Meeting – St Andrews, UK (TALK)
2016: 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, Lindau, DE (PARTICIPANT)
2016: 4th CHEOPS Science Workshop, Geneva, CH (TALK)
2015: Espresso Science Meeting – Geneva, CH (TALK)
2015: UK Exoplanet Meeting – Warwick, UK (TALK)
2014: PLATO 2.0 Science Conference – Taormina, IT (POSTER)
2014: CoolStars18 – Flagstaff, AZ, USA (TALK)
2014: Irish National Astronomy Meeting – Dublin, IRL (TALK)
2014: UK Exoplanet Meeting – Cambridge, UK (TALK)
2013: National Astronomy Meeting – St. Andrews, UK (TALK)
2013: Royal Society Meeting “Characterising Exoplanets” – London, UK (POSTER)
2012: BUKS2012 – Crete, GR (TALK)
2012: CoolStars17 – Barcelona, ES (POSTER)
2012: Exoplanets and their host stars – Oxford, UK (TALK)
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013: American Astronomical Society Meeting– Long Beach, USA; Washington, D.C, USA; Austin, USA, Indianapolis, USA (POSTER, POSTER, POSTER, TALK)
2018: Exoplanets II – Cambridge, UK (TALK)
2018: Second Rencontres du Vietnam on Exoplanetary Science – Quy Nhon, VT (TALK)
2017: Human Rights, Gender and Alterity Summer School, Geneva, CH (PARTICIPANT)
2017: 5th CHEOPS Science Workshop, Graz, AUT (TALK)
2017: UK Exoplanet Meeting – St Andrews, UK (TALK)
2016: 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, Lindau, DE (PARTICIPANT)
2016: 4th CHEOPS Science Workshop, Geneva, CH (TALK)
2015: Espresso Science Meeting – Geneva, CH (TALK)
2015: UK Exoplanet Meeting – Warwick, UK (TALK)
2014: PLATO 2.0 Science Conference – Taormina, IT (POSTER)
2014: CoolStars18 – Flagstaff, AZ, USA (TALK)
2014: Irish National Astronomy Meeting – Dublin, IRL (TALK)
2014: UK Exoplanet Meeting – Cambridge, UK (TALK)
2013: National Astronomy Meeting – St. Andrews, UK (TALK)
2013: Royal Society Meeting “Characterising Exoplanets” – London, UK (POSTER)
2012: BUKS2012 – Crete, GR (TALK)
2012: CoolStars17 – Barcelona, ES (POSTER)
2012: Exoplanets and their host stars – Oxford, UK (TALK)
2009, 2010, 2012, 2013: American Astronomical Society Meeting– Long Beach, USA; Washington, D.C, USA; Austin, USA, Indianapolis, USA (POSTER, POSTER, POSTER, TALK)
Conference Organisation
2019: Extremely Precise Radial Velocities IV: Splinter Session Leader – Grindelwald, CH
2019: Extremely Precise Radial Velocities IV: Science Organising Committee – Grindelwald, CH
2017: Extremely Precise Radial Velocities III: Breakout Session Leader – State College, USA
2017: UK Exoplanet Meeting: Discussion Session Co-Leader – St Andrews, UK
2019: Extremely Precise Radial Velocities IV: Science Organising Committee – Grindelwald, CH
2017: Extremely Precise Radial Velocities III: Breakout Session Leader – State College, USA
2017: UK Exoplanet Meeting: Discussion Session Co-Leader – St Andrews, UK
International Collaborations / Working Groups
Towards Other Earths: Leader of an international project using 3D MHD simulations to disentangle stellar surface phenomena to the level necessary to confirm Earth-like worlds
NASA-NSF EPRV Working Group: Steering Group member, and co-leader of the Stellar Variability subgroup, for the jointly commissioned NASA- NSF initiative on Extreme Precision Radial Velocities to develop methods and facilities for measuring the masses of temperate terrestrial planets orbiting Sun-like stars. Our aim is to develop a strategic roadmap by Feb 2020 for consideration in the annual US congressional budget planning process.
EarthFinder: Co-leader of the ‘Stellar Activity Group’ (with Dr Xavier Dumusque) for a NASA probe mission concept study to discern if a space-based spectrometer provides specific advantages in mitigating the effects of stellar magnetic activity on planet confirmation.
PLATO: Team member of the ‘Work Package on Astrophysical Noise Sources and their Impact on Radial Velocity Determination’ (WP 115-100), with the aim to mitigate such noise in the follow-up of planet candidates discovered by PLATO - especially for low mass (terrestrial) planets.
HARPS-N Solar Telescope: Team member, with the aim to disentangle convection-related stellar signals, and to further empirically validate MHD simulations of solar surfaces.
HEARTS: Team member of the ‘Hot Exoplanet Atmospheres Resolved with Transit Spectroscopy’ project; my goal is to characterise star-planet obliquities and assess the impact of stellar activity and the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect on transmission spectra.
K2xRV & TESSxRV: Team member of ‘K2/TESS Synergy with Simultaneous Radial Velocities: Asteroseismology, Jitter, and Planet Characterization’, where my aim is to assist in understanding the relationship between stellar activity in the photometric and spectroscopic observations.
NASA-NSF EPRV Working Group: Steering Group member, and co-leader of the Stellar Variability subgroup, for the jointly commissioned NASA- NSF initiative on Extreme Precision Radial Velocities to develop methods and facilities for measuring the masses of temperate terrestrial planets orbiting Sun-like stars. Our aim is to develop a strategic roadmap by Feb 2020 for consideration in the annual US congressional budget planning process.
EarthFinder: Co-leader of the ‘Stellar Activity Group’ (with Dr Xavier Dumusque) for a NASA probe mission concept study to discern if a space-based spectrometer provides specific advantages in mitigating the effects of stellar magnetic activity on planet confirmation.
PLATO: Team member of the ‘Work Package on Astrophysical Noise Sources and their Impact on Radial Velocity Determination’ (WP 115-100), with the aim to mitigate such noise in the follow-up of planet candidates discovered by PLATO - especially for low mass (terrestrial) planets.
HARPS-N Solar Telescope: Team member, with the aim to disentangle convection-related stellar signals, and to further empirically validate MHD simulations of solar surfaces.
HEARTS: Team member of the ‘Hot Exoplanet Atmospheres Resolved with Transit Spectroscopy’ project; my goal is to characterise star-planet obliquities and assess the impact of stellar activity and the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect on transmission spectra.
K2xRV & TESSxRV: Team member of ‘K2/TESS Synergy with Simultaneous Radial Velocities: Asteroseismology, Jitter, and Planet Characterization’, where my aim is to assist in understanding the relationship between stellar activity in the photometric and spectroscopic observations.
Competitive Honours and Awards
2016: Selected to attend the 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (financial aid of €5000)
2014: University of Geneva secondment (brought in £19,693 to QUB)
2014: PATT Proposal: “Estimating the false positive rate amongst Kepler planetary candidates with multi-colour photometry”, awarded 6 nights on the WHT/ULTRACAM (notional value of £102,000)
2013: Bursary Award to attend Royal Society Meeting “Characterising Exoplanets”
2012: Financial Assistance BUKS2012
2012: Royal Astronomical Society Grant
2011: Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research ($4500)
2011: Emily Sara Montgomery Travel Scholarship, QUB
2009: Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (~$8000)
2009: Physics Department Scholarship, MSUM
2008: Hart-Sipson Physics Scholarship, MSUM
2007, 2008, 2009: Upper Divisions Scholarship, MSUM
2007: Wesley Memorial Physics Scholarship, MSUM
2007: Outstanding Freshman in Mathematics Scholarship, MSUM
2008, 2009: Special Honors Award for high scholastic achievement, MSUM
2007 – 2010: Honor’s Program, MSUM
2006: Achievement Scholarship, MSUM
2014: University of Geneva secondment (brought in £19,693 to QUB)
2014: PATT Proposal: “Estimating the false positive rate amongst Kepler planetary candidates with multi-colour photometry”, awarded 6 nights on the WHT/ULTRACAM (notional value of £102,000)
2013: Bursary Award to attend Royal Society Meeting “Characterising Exoplanets”
2012: Financial Assistance BUKS2012
2012: Royal Astronomical Society Grant
2011: Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research ($4500)
2011: Emily Sara Montgomery Travel Scholarship, QUB
2009: Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship (~$8000)
2009: Physics Department Scholarship, MSUM
2008: Hart-Sipson Physics Scholarship, MSUM
2007, 2008, 2009: Upper Divisions Scholarship, MSUM
2007: Wesley Memorial Physics Scholarship, MSUM
2007: Outstanding Freshman in Mathematics Scholarship, MSUM
2008, 2009: Special Honors Award for high scholastic achievement, MSUM
2007 – 2010: Honor’s Program, MSUM
2006: Achievement Scholarship, MSUM