Curriculum Vitae
Ashkbiz
Curriculum Vitae
Ashkbiz Ash
Danehkar
Eureka Scientific, 2452 Delmer St Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94602
+1 (617) 955-0606
danehkar [at] eurekasci [dot] com
Research Interests
- Starburst Feedback, AGN Feedback
- Extreme Astrophysics, ISM Astrophysics
Professional History
Astrophysicist (Scientist II)
2022 - present
Eureka Scientific, Oakland, CA, USA
- Conduct research on the spins of supermassive black holes in AGN via X-ray data analysis and MCMC-based statistical methods.
Research Fellow
2019 - 2021
University of Michigan, Ann Abor, MI, USA
- Carry out hydrodynamic simulations of starburst-driven outflows, along with collisional ionization and non-equilibrium photoionization.
Postdoctoral Fellow
2015 - 2018
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Perform X-ray analysis and Bayesian analysis of AGN and X-ray emitting symbiotic stars, along with imaging studies of ionized nebulae.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and Astronomy
2014
Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- PhD dissertation on the evolutionary stages of ionized nebulae around Wolf-Rayet stars using IFU spectroscopy, 3D morpho-kinematic modelling, emission line analysis, plasma diagnostics, abundance analysis, and photoionization modeling.
Master of Science in Plasma Physics (distinction)
2009
Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
- Master's thesis on computational fluid dynamics of electron-acoustic solitary waves in a space plasma containing suprathermal κ-distributed electrons using linear dispersion relations and nonlinear Sagdeev pseudopotential methods.
- Postgraduate Lectures: Theory of Plasma Physics, Experimental Plasma Physics, Astrophysical Plasmas, Laser-Produced Plasmas, and Low-Temperature Plasmas.
Master of Science in Computational Electrical Engineering (merit)
2007
Universität Rostock, Germany
- Master's thesis on the development of a microcontroller-based embedded measurement system using an AVR-family microcontroller, an Ethernet controller, and programmable multi-channel data-acquisition devices for monitoring neuromuscular blockades in clinical practice.
- Notable Courses: Computational Electromagnetism, Finite Element Methods, Applied Mathematics, Numerical Methods, Parallel Computing, Object-Oriented Programming, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits, Microcontrollers, Controller Design, Distributed Real-Time Systems, and Advanced VLSI Design.
Grants & Awards
Grants
- NASA NICER Program ($42k; 2024)
"Monitoring the Nearest Tidal Disruption Event Candidate IGR J12580+0134" (80NSSC23K1098; PI: Danehkar) - NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP; 2022-2024)
"Black Hole Spin Survey of Radio-quiet AGN" (80NSSC22K0626; PI: Danehkar) - NPSS Young Professionals Grant for ICOPS ($300; 2021)
- Australian Institute of Physics, Student Support ($500; 2014)
- International Astronomical Union Travel Grants ($1.5k; 2011)
- Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research ($1.5k; GIAR; 2013)
- Macquarie University Higher Degree Research Funds ($8k; 2012)
- International Astronomical Union Travel Grants ($2k; 2011)
Awards
- Symmetry Outstanding Reviewer Award (500 CHF; 2018)
- Astronomical Society of Australia Travel Assistance ($1k; 2014)
- Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship ($136k; 2010–2014)
- Department for Employment and Learning Studentship (£25k; 2008–2009)
- Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher (€16k; MRTN-CT-2004-005104; 2008)
Computing Time
- PI: NSF ACCESS (Explore PHY220146, 200 kSU, 2022)
- PI: NSF XSEDE (stampede, 20 kSU, 2016)
- PI: NCI National Facility (swinSTAR; p063: 250 kSU, 2014)
- Co-I: NCI National Facility (raijin/vayu; g33: 350 kSU, 2012)
- PI: NCI National Facility (orange; 200 kSU, 2011)
Observing Time
- PI: Gemini North 8.1-m Telescope (8 hrs, Band 3, GN-2023B-Q-315, 2023)
- PI: NASA NICER (90 ks, Priority A, Proposal 6093, 2023)
- PI: NRAO VLA (7 hrs, Priority B, VLA/23A-369, 2023)
- Co-I: NRAO VLA (5 hrs, Priority B, VLA/18A-271, 2018)
- PI: Gemini South 8.1-m Telescope (8 hrs, Band 3, GS-2013A-Q-88, 2013)
- Co-I: AAT Telescope (3.9 hours, SP019, 2013)
- PI: Gemini South 8.1-m Telescope (5.2 hrs, Band 3, GS-2012B-Q-69, 2012)
- PI: ANU 2.3-m Telescope (4 nights, ID 3-12-0158, 2012)
- PI: ANU 2.3-m Telescope (4 nights, ID 1-12-0214, 2012)
Professional Experience
Review & Editorial Service
- Referee Service: ApJ, AJ, Ap&SS, Phys.Plasmas, JGR Sp.Phys., MPLA, Universe, etc., verified reviews & editorial records in Web of Science (publons.com/a/843927)
- Editorial Service: Guest Editor for 2 Special Issues in Universe & Frontiers in Physics
- Review Panelist for NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG 2021)
- Review Panelist: NASA's Astrophysics Data Analysis Program (ADAP 2017, 2019)
- Review Panelist, NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP, 2019, 2020)
- Distributed Peer Reviewer for ESO Telescopes (Period 111, 2022)
- Review Panelist for NOIRLab Time Allocation Committee (2022)
- Review Panelist for Chandra Cycle 24 Peer Review (2022)
- Session Chair & Chambliss Award Judge, 237th & 240th AAS Meeting (2021, 2022)
Teaching Experience & Certificate
- Harvard Bok Higher Education Teaching Certificate, 2021
- College STEM Teaching Certificate, University of Michigan (CRLT), 2020
- Inclusive STEM Teaching Project Certificate, University of Michigan (CRLT), 2020
- Mentor, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), 2019-2020
- TA, Holographic Duality (PHY 8.871; taught by Prof. Hong Liu), MIT Physics, 2018
- TA, Lab. sessions of Mechanics (PHYS107) and Electromagnetism (PHYS202), Macquarie, 2011-2012
Computing Experience
- C++, Python, Fortran, IDL/GDL, MPI
- AstroPy, SciPy, pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, yt
- IRAF, HEASoft, XMMSAS, DrizzlePac, CIAO
Memberships
- International Astrostatistics Association (2020–present)
- International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation (2020–present)
- International Astronomical Union (2018–present)
- American Astronomical Society (2015–present)
- American Physical Society (2017–present)
- Astronomical Society of Australia (2011–present)
- Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society (2010–present)