Education
2011 -2015
PhD in Molecular Astrophysics (Quantum Chemistry).
Modelling Phosphine Spectra for the Atmospheric Characterization of Cool Stars and Exoplanets - full text here.
University College London, UK.
Thesis submitted April 2015. PhD defended June 2015 and awarded September 2015.
2005 – 2010
Integrated MPhys
Masters of Physics and Astronomy with Honours.
University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Final Grade – 2:1, Masters Thesis Grade – A.
Thesis title: Influence of a Star’s Evolution on its Planetary System
1995 – 2004
High School Diploma
Portugal and New Zealand, A average.
Employment
Research Scientist - 51 Pegasi b Fellow (August 2019 - Ongoing)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA (until September 2020) and Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (from October 2020)
Research fellow at the department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. Work focuses on the assessment of phosphine as a biosignature gas, and the spectral simulation of all molecules potentially associated with life. Most computation focuses on the RASCALL project (Rapid Approximate Spectral Calculations for ALL), which is a the successor to ATMOS (see below).
Co-Director of the Harvard-MIT Science Research Mentoring Program (April 2019 - Ongoing)
Harvard-SAO Center for Astrophysics and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
I am the co-director of the Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP), where high school students to participate in a year-long independent research project in astrophysics, alongside a scientific mentor. The SRMP program lasts between September and May, at which point the students present their research at a scientific symposium. Together with Or Graur (the other director, and founder), I create and deliver the initial academic program, organize and supervise the scientific teams, and run the SRMP symposia.
Founder and Director of the Junior Research Award program (June 2019 - Ongoing)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
I am the founder and director of the Junior Research Award program (JURA), which delivers short term scientific programs for high school and undergraduate students. The students are selected and prepare for their project during their school year, and then work full- or part-time at MIT during the summer. I create and deliver the initial academic program, organize and supervise the scientific teams, and run all of the logistics of the program.
Postdoctoral Researcher - Quantum Astrochemistry (September 2016 - August 2019)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
Joint post-doc at the Kavli Institute (MKI) and the department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. Main project is ATMOS (Approximate Theoretical MOlecular Spectra) which combines organic chemistry and quantum physics to simulate spectra of potentially important volatiles. ATMOS is part of the biosignature detection research being led by Professor Sara Seager. I was also a Heising-Simons Physics Research Fellow @ MIT awardee.
Twinkle’s Educational Co-ordinator (January 2015 - September 2016)
University College London, London, UK
Co-ordinator for EduTwinkle, the outreach and educational program for the Twinkle space mission. EduTwinkle aims to create a productive relationship between British schools and space missions, to widen participation in higher education by under-represented groups and to increase girls’ uptake of STEM subjects at A-level and university.
HRA – Molecular Astrophysics (September 2014 - August 2016)
University College London, London, UK
Honorary post-doctorate (funded by Goldman Sachs and RIS) researching the use of symmetry properties to produce molecular line lists with reduced resources (Phantom Symmetries) and the tunnelling motion of phosphine.
Researcher in Schools (September 2014 – July 2016)
Brilliant Club/Goldman Sachs/King’s College London,UK
Participant in the first cohort of the Researchers in Schools program, where scientists train as part-time science teachers alongside their research. Presently leading an action research project on the impact of classroom incorporation of career prospects at all key stages (Ages 11- 18). Active participation in outreach from primary schools to A-level, particularly focused on widening participation and addressing the gender imbalance in physics (QTS awarded in June 2015).
Research Intern (September 2010 – December 2010)
Chemistry Department of the Institut Josef Stefan, Ljubljana, Slovenia.