Ava Polzin

Aspiring Astrophysicist at Northwestern University

Contact:

AvaPolzin2018 [at] u.northwestern.edu
(224) 475-7489

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(Abridged) CV

A more comprehensive PDF of my CV is available here.

Research Experience

Intern, Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA), Northwestern University, June 2017 - Present

Supervisors: Dr. Aaron Geller and Dr. Adam Miller

Use python code (based in the packages ellc and gatspy) with a full-scale galactic simulation to determine a new minimum prediction for the LSST's eclipsing binary yield over its ten-year run. This research will be fleshed out by determining the factors that impact binary detection and looking further at the idea of accurate identification of both binaries and their periods.

Undergraduate research assistant, Micro-X Lab (Figueroa Group - PI: Dr. Enectali Figueroa-Feliciano), Northwestern University, December 2016 - June 2017 >Supervisors: David Goldfinger, Dr. Antonia Hubbard

Triaged projects, ran and recorded computer tests for TES, created a helium consumption simulation for the lab's dewars, and some hardware soldering. At supervisor suggestion, learned MatLab and Python outside of lab.

Undergraduate research volunteer, Environmental Microbiology Lab (Nealson Group - PI: Dr. Ken Nealson), USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Spring 2016

Supervisor: Casey Barr

Trained for planned research in environmental microbiology scheduled to be carried out at Jet Propulsion Lab, Pasadena, California, Summer 2016. Made agar/sulfur plates, mixed medium, isolated samples for re-plating, ran autoclave and did necessary acid baths to ensure absolute sterility, fully organized and catalogued chemical shelves (keeping them in alphabetical order by non-reactive category), and assisted in setting up some basic electrochemical tests.

Teaching Experience

Peer-Guided Study Group Facilitator, Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching, Northwestern University, September 2017 - Present

Supervisor: Borislava Miltcheva

Run 2-hour weekly sessions, providing supplemental instruction for introductory physics courses.

Tutor, N'Cat Tutoring, Northwestern Athletics, September 2017 - Present

Supervisor: Shuji Otsuka

Tutor student athletes in physics, astronomy, music, and earth science courses.

Publications & Presentations

In preparation for submission to The Astrophysical Journal: Polzin A, Geller A, Miller A, Breivik K. Exploring an Improved Method for Determining LSST's Eclipsing Binary Yield. 2018.

Polzin A, Geller A, Miller A, Breivik K. Exploring an Improved Method for Determining LSST's Eclipsing Binary Yield. Poster session presented at the Adler Planetarium and Northwestern Department of Physics & Astronomy for the 2017 CIERA REU; 2017 Aug. 17-18; Evanston, IL and Chicago, IL.

Polzin A. Becoming María Mandinga: The Value of Self-Definition and Its Journey in Of Love and Other Demons. Paper presented at What's Past Is Prologue: 18th Annual Thematic Option Research Conference; 2015 April 14-15; Los Angeles, CA.