1. Can you describe your role in the SDSS collaboration and what you enjoy most about it?
I’m the current Program Head of the Black Hole Mapper (BHM) program in SDSS-V. I very much enjoy the interaction via SDSS with such a large, dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented international set of scientific collaborators–a collaboration that spans research from stars to quasars (and beyond), and which deeply engages early career researchers to more senior astronomers.
2. Can you tell us about your educational background and how you got interested in the field of astronomy/astrophysics?
As a youngster I hoped to become an astronaut, later transitioning to STEM related education with degrees (at various levels) in mathematics, astrophysics, and ultimately astronomy.
3. What projects are you currently working on and what are you most excited about?
I’m especially interested in projects that study accretion-powered phenomena, including the growth and evolution of supermassive black holes that power quasars. A specific example is the discovery and study of rare “changing look” quasars in which accretion onto a supermassive black hole appears to be switching off, and/or on, over surprisingly-short (even human) timescales.
4. Can you describe how you balance work and personal life, and what advice would you give to someone just starting in the field?
I deeply enjoy a balance of devoted time interacting and having fun with family and friends, and also being fortunate enough to work with close (and fun) professional colleagues.
5. Can you share with us a unique hobby or interest that you have outside of work?
I greatly enjoy skiing, and jazz.