Ryan Rubenzahl Email & Phone Number

New York, New York, United States

Center for Computational Astrophysics

PhD Thesis: From the Sun to the Stars: A Solar Calibrator for the Keck Planet Finder And New Frontiers in Exoplanet Obliquities. https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/16464/Defended May 13, 2024.

C.E.K. Mees Observatory, Naples Ny.

As a tour guide I present the history of the observatory and general astronomy facts. I also operate the 24-inch computerized Cassegrain telescope at the observatory to show guests astronomical phenomena.

Advising and counseling service for undergraduate students with their majors, course selection, research opportunities, networking, independent study, study abroad, etc.

List of courses:Sprint 2018, AST 142: Elementary Astrophysics (Honors)Fall 2017, AST 111: The Solar System & Its OriginSpring 2017, AST 142: Elementary AstrophysicsFall 2016, PHY 141 Laboratory: Mechanics (Honors)Spring 2016, AST 102: Relativity, Black Holes, and the Big BangFall 2015, AST 106: Cosmic Origins of LifeSpring 2015, AST 104: The Solar SystemWorkshop duties: Conduct 1-2 weekly 75-minute workshops, responsible for grading homework and examinations.Laboratory duties: Setup and manage laboratory stations and assist students with interpreting data and error analysis.

Projects:1) Identifying type Ia supernova in galaxy spectra. I developed a robust classifier to identify the presence of a type Ia supernova within the spectrum of a galaxy. I simulated observations of galaxies from the bright galaxy survey in the upcoming DESI survey and injected type Ia templates. I developed a feature-set derived from the spectrum and used a random forest classifier to determine whether a galaxy contained a type Ia or not.1) Looking for "Fermi Bubbles" around the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with HAWC. I used HAWC observations of the Andromeda Galaxy to fit a model that includes two Fermi-Bubble-like regions above and below the M31 galactic plane, as proposed by a group using 81 months of Fermi-LAT observations of M31. Using observations from HAWC we determined upper limits on the emission of gamma-rays from the galactic disk as well as the proposed bubbles. This research was presented at the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2017) in Bexco, Busan, Korea. See: arXiv 1708.03012.2) Analyzing TeV Gamma-Ray Binary Candidates with the HAWC Gamma Ray Observatory under Prof. Segev BenZv. I worked with graduate student Chang Rho to detect and analyze rare TeV gamma-ray binary systems with the HAWC gamma-ray observatory. There are only five such systems discovered so far, and we are looking to confirm observations of these systems as well as analyze potential binary candidates to identify new sources. This research was presented at the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2017) in Bexco, Busan, Korea. See: arXiv 1708.03726.3) Simulating Outrigger Tanks around the HAWC Gamma Ray Observatory under Prof. Segev BenZv. This project focused on designing and optimizing water-cherenkov detectors to be used in an expansion of the HAWC gamma-ray observatory. I used GEANT4 and wrote python and C++ code to simulate air showers due to cosmic rays and gamma rays to compare the performances of different configurations of water-cherenkov tanks.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Astrophysics

Master Of Science - Ms, Astrophysics

Bachelor Of Science, Physics And Astronomy, 3.96/4.00

Activities and Societies: Astronomy Club, Society of Physics Students, Department of Physics and Astronomy Teaching Intern, Physics.

Nys Regents Diploma With Advanced Designation

Mastery in Mathematics, Mastery in Science