Current Research Project:

Rapid Astrophysical Explosions from Neutron Star and Black Hole Interactions

My current research is aiming to understand the origin and behaviour of fast‑evolving astronomical transients, rare explosions revealed by modern wide‑field surveys. These events often involve collisions of stellar remnants such as neutron stars and black holes, and include phenomena like kilonovae. These collisions can produce both gravitational waves and light which we can observe using both LIGO/Virgo Detectors and Sky Surveys respectively. Such transients provide unique insights into how matter behaves in extreme gravitational environments and how heavy elements are formed, making them key to understanding the physics of the most energetic processes in the universe.

My research involves working with datasets from wide‑field surveys including ATLAS and Pan‑STARRS, and contributes to preparations for the Vera Rubin Observatory, which will conduct the largest transient survey to date. The project will develop methods to identify and study these events and make use of follow‑up observations, including spectroscopy, to investigate their physical nature and constrain their role in cosmic element production.

Biography:

Before starting my PhD, I completed a four‑year integrated Master’s (MSci) in Physics at QUB. My research project focused on tidal disruption events, instances where stars are torn apart by the immense gravity of a supermassive black hole. In particular, I investigated repeated partial tidal disruption events, where the stellar core survives the initial encounter, escapes, and returns on subsequent orbits to be disrupted again.

Research Interests:

Mergers of neutron stars and black holes
Detection and modelling of kilonovae
Optical follow-up of gravitational wave sources

Supervisors:

Dr. Matt Nicholl & Professor Stuart Sim

Pure Profile