Faculty

My research focuses on experimental high-energy and particle astrophysics. I build and use high-altitude and space-based instruments to answer questions around the origin of matter in our Universe, including the fundamental nature of the dark matter. I am focused on opening sensitivity to clean cosmic-ray antimatter signatures by advancing instrumental techniques.

Low-energy cosmic-ray antideuterons would be a smoking gun for dark matter, since the predicted flux from dark matter is orders of magnitude larger than the astrophysical background. The General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS) Antarctic balloon program is the first experiment optimized for detection of this rare signal. The first of several planned flights was successfully completed in January, 2026. My group leads the analysis working group for identifying antimatter signatures in data, a new scintillating fiber sensor system as an upgrade for flight 2, and payload management.

A gamma-ray line 0.511 MeV is attributed to annihilation of low-energy positrons in the Galaxy, but for more than 50 years, the mystery of the origin of these positrons has endured due to limited astrophysical sensitivity in the MeV band. When it launches in August, 2027, the Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) telescope will provide the first major advance in MeV sensitivity in more than 25 years, enabling diverse MeV science including positron science. My group leads positron imaging science, position calibration of the Germanium detectors that enable the COSI sensitivity, and development of new Germanium detectors and methods to enhance COSI science reach and facilitate next-generation missions.