I study how stars in our Milky Way form and evolve over time. In particular, I study how young, Sun-like stars grow and then slowly spin down as they age. Low-mass stars like our Sun are the most common type of stars in the universe; clarifying the life cycle of these stars helps us understand the history of our Solar System, other planetary systems, and the Galaxy that surrounds us. I study these stars using data from large astrophysical surveys (e.g., the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the upcoming Large Synoptic Survey Telescope) as well as my own observations, typically optical and near-infrared spectra. My research program also provides numerous opportunities for students to get involved with astrophysical research.

BA, Carleton College (2000)
PhD, University of Washington (2006)