Emma Dahl

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

New Mexico State University Fall 2015 - Summer 2021

Graduate Research Assistant Las Cruces, NM

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  Worked extensively with electrical engineers to build, test, and characterize the NMSU Acousto-optic Imaging Camera (NAIC)
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  Used NAIC to obtain hyperspectral image cubes of Jupiter at high spectral resolution at Apache Point Observatory in Sunspot, NM during Juno perijove passes. 14 observing runs completed to date
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  Developed data reduction pipeline; calibrated data and fixed optical etaloning effects
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  Conducted modeling of Jupiter's atmosphere using the NEMESIS radiative transfer software package; derived structure and color of uppermost cloud deck in order to complement Juno's measurements of the deep atmosphere
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  Awarded the 2018 NASA Minority University Research Education Project (MUREP) graduate fellowship; spent subsequent summers at JPL working with NASA advisor Glenn Orton, other JPL scientists, and Juno team members to further progress and improve atmospheric modeling

Whitman College Astronomy Department Fall 2013 - Spring 2015

Research Assistant Walla Walla, WA

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  Contributed to star formation research by analyzing Herschel Space Observatory images to inspect the orientation of protostellar disks with respect to the gassy laments in which they form
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  Established Whitman's ongoing collaboration with local heads of the International Occultation Timing Association
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  Worked as observing aide on the calibration of Whitman College's 30-inch telescope, during globular cluster data collection at Kitt Peak National Observatory, observations of asteroid occultations, etc.

Maria Mitchell Observatory (MMO) Summer 2014

NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Student Nantucket, MA

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  Worked with Peter Stetson of NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics to observe open star clusters; conducted crowded- field all-sky photometry in order to discover short-period variable stars

TEACHING & OUTREACH EXPERIENCE

Whitman College, NMSU, & MMO August 2012 - August 2021

Outreach Assistant

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  Gave planetarium shows, led stargazing events, gave talks to students and the public on various topics, gave observatory tours, wrote informative posters, etc. 120+ hours of outreach and community service completed on behalf of NMSU Astronomy Department to date

New Mexico State University July 2017 - July 2018

NMSU Astronomy Outreach Coordinator Las Cruces, NM

• Planned outreach visits with community members and local schools, organized volunteers, coordinated events and activities on and o campus

New Mexico State University January 2017 - October 2018

Head Campus Observatory Teaching Assistant Las Cruces, NM

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  Organized and managed Campus Observatory Lab. Coordinated volunteer staff, set up telescopes, discussed night sky objects and constellations with undergraduate students

New Mexico State University August 2015 - May 2016

Astronomy Teaching Assistant Las Cruces, NM

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  Taught weekly introductory level astronomy labs. Lectured on various topics, worked with students during lab sections, graded labs, and held office hours

Whitman College August 2012 - May 2015

Astronomy and Physics Lab Teaching Assistant and Private Tutor Walla Walla, WA

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  Worked with students to answer questions during lab sections. Met with individual students on a weekly basis to discuss concepts or problems and to give general academic advice

PROGRAMMING EXPERIENCE

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  Strong knowledge of Python programming syntax and practices; proficient in IDL, Fortran 95, IRAF, HTML
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  Wrote, tested, and compiled complete data reduction and photometric calibration Python pipeline for NAIC hyperspectral image cubes
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  Extensive experience using Non-Linear Optimal Estimator for Multivariate Spectral Analysis (NEMESIS) radiative transfer code (Fortran- and IDL-based); developed Python wrapper for implementing NEMESIS with NAIC data
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  Wrote Fortran 95 dynamical n-body simulation of the formation of structure in Saturn's rings
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  Pipeline and miscellaneous scripts available at github.com/dahlek