Research

This is a general summary of my research interests. For my publication history on these topics, see publications

Local Group Dwarf Galaxies

Dwarf galaxies provide a unique window into dark matter and galaxies formation. The Local Group (the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, and their attendent satellites) provides by far the best set of examples of such galaxies, simply because they are close enough to be studied in detail. The recent drastic increase in known faint galaxies due to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and other large-area surveys have uncovered a number of still unsolved-puzzles, from how these galaxies form to the very question as to whether or not they even are galaxies.

The Magellanic Clouds also provide a unique opportunity to understand close-up the processes operating in dwarf galaxies and loose groups. Understanding the LMC and SMC in a wider cosmological context thus both improves our interpretation of detailed studies of the Clouds, as well as providing unique tests of the LCDM concordance cosmology.

Global Scaling Relations of Galaxies

Galaxy scaling relations like the Tully-Fisherrelation , Faber-Jackson relation, and the Fundamental Plane have been established for decades. Only recently, however, have the data allowed these relations to span the full set of galaxy-like systems, from local group dwarf spheroidals to galaxy clusters. These scaling relations, when combined with the newer concordance cosmology, can provide unique opportunities to determine empirical relations between galaxies and their dark matter halos, and, more generally, make detailed predictions of a variety of galaxy formation processes.

LCBGS/CNELGS

Luminous Compact Blue Galaxies, (and the closely-related Compact Narrow Emmission Line Galaxies) are are common at intermediate (z~0.5-1) redshift, but seem to have nearly disappeared in the present age. Thus, the WHIQII Survey was designed to study these objects and consider what they might teach us about the evolution of star formation and the starburst phenomenon over moderate cosmic times.