Research
I utilize multiple large galaxy survey programs to tackle some of the most pressing questions in the evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes (SMBHs) across cosmic time. I have made substantial contribution to the data products for each of these surveys.
Color image of the NGDEEP NIRCam mosaics from the first epoch observations. The second epoch is scheduled for early 2024.
JWST's First Deep Field
I am in charge of the NIRCam imaging for the Next Generation Deep Extragalactic Exploratory Public (NGDEEP) survey, the first public deep field by JWST. I led the calibration, processing, and production of final science-grade mosaic images.
I led the scientific analysis of the z>9 galaxy sample in NGDEEP and made a new measurement of the faint-end of the UV luminosity function at z~9-12. My findings show that the number densities of faint galaxies at z~9-12 are at the high end of theoretical predictions and empirical expectations. However, it does not show a prominent excess as in the bright end, suggesting that the new physical mechanisms responsible for the observed excess primarily affect bright galaxies.
AGN Identification and Feedback at Cosmic Noon
My doctoral research utilizes data from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey, a large Keck NIR multi-object spectroscopic survey for galaxies at z=1.4-3.8. I led the multiwavelength AGN identification in MOSDEF and produced AGN catalogs for the team.
I used MOSDEF data to perform the first statistical analysis of AGN-driven outflows at z~2-3. I found widespread incidence of outflows in AGN host galaxies, and that the power of the outflows are elevated in massive quiescent galaxies. My findings show that AGN feedback is capable of maintaining star formation quenching in massive galaxies at Cosmic Noon.
Stacked spectra of AGN with outflows in MOSDEF with the best-fit narrow-line and outflow components.
I employed a model-based photometric extraction for ~4 million sources in SHELA. This is particularly useful for combining imaging from a wide range of instruments and wavelengths, where the variation in PSF is large.
The SHELA Survey
The Spitzer-HETDEX Exploratory Large Area (SHELA) survey is a 27 sq deg photometric survey spanning 16 bands from 0.3 to 4.5 μm. I led the calibration, processing and production of the final science mosaics using ~10^4 raw images, and the creation of the multi-band photometric catalog for ~4 million sources. I implemented a model-based photometric extraction by fitting the source light profiles.
My catalog has enabled a range of science in SHELA, including the study of Lyman-alpha emitters at z~2, massive quiescent galaxies at z~4, and luminous galaxies at the EoR and Cosmic Dawn. I have used this catalog to identify z>10 luminous (M ~ -25) galaxy candidates to investigate the brightest galaxies at Cosmic Dawn. I have also used this catalog to select z=5-7 bright (M<-22) galaxies to trace the evolution of the Lyman-alpha transmission and the progress of reionization.
The full catalog can be accessed here.