Paul Hemphill Email & Phone Number

Lexington, Massachusetts, United States

Lexington, Massachusetts, United States

Greater Boston Area

Designing and leading research projects in X-ray astrophysics (spectroscopy, time-series analysis, and imaging), primarily using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Submitted multiple successful proposals for new observations with Chandra, NuSTAR, and NICER. Presented results in refereed papers and at professional conferences. • Carried out a detailed investigation of the X-ray pulsar 4U 1626-67, applying sophisticated plasma modeling and incorporating Markov Chain Monte Carlo parameter estimation. • Published a comprehensive analysis of NuSTAR data on the X-ray pulsar 4U 1538-522, characterizing its spectral and temporal evolution on decadal timescales. • Using Chandra imaging data, updated the position of the X-ray pulsar 4U 1901+03. • Continued international collaboration developing new physics-based models for X-ray pulsars.

Designed and lead research projects, studying X-ray spectra and time-series data from X-ray binaries. Successfully proposed for new observations with NuSTAR and presented results at conferences and in refereed publications. • Carried out a comprehensive review of a 20-year, multi-satellite archive of data. This required a robust statistical analysis and careful accounting of systematic differences between observatories. • Performed model validation, analysis, and debugging in international collaboration developing a new first-principles model for bright accreting neutron stars (see Wolff et al., 2016, ApJ 831, 194). • Managed our suite of astrophysical data processing and analysis software (compiling and installing new versions, maintaining site-wide configuration files, and applying patches).

Supervised and trained teaching assistants, ran tutorial sessions, and taught physics lab courses. • Rewrote and updated our decade-old lab manuals, designing better and more reliable experiments for students to run and bringing the manual in line with modern education practices. • Developed new teaching and evaluation standards, revamping how lab reports were written and graded by designing a clear rubric for each experiment. • Handled cases of academic integrity and conflicts between students and teaching assistants.

Greater San Diego Area

Taught physics laboratory courses for classes of 20 to 25 students.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Carried out testing and characterization of photomultiplier tubes, avalanche photodiodes, and hybrid photodiodes intended for liquid noble gas dark matter detectors. Main accomplishment was the design, construction, programming, and operation of uniformity testing apparatus for prototype "QUPID" hybrid photodiodes (see acknowledgment in Teymourian et al. 2011, NIMPA, 654, 184).

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Astrophysics

Activities and Societies: Physics Graduate Council (Secretary)

Bachelor'S Degree, Astrophysics

Activities and Societies: Undergraduate Astronomical Society, Society of Physics Students

Physics