Research
My research
Currently, my research focuses on three main areas. The first involves determining the properties of evolved compact stars by using their natural oscillation frequencies as probes of their internal structure. This approach, known as asteroseismology, has allowed us to determine a range of stellar properties, such as brightness, distance, size, mass, rotation period, and binarity (including planetary companions). Evolutionary modeling using MESA and GYRE has been instrumental in advancing the study of evolved stellar models.
The second area of my research focuses on open clusters. Using Kepler data, we identified around 600 variable stars in two clusters and classified them according to their variability types. We are now collecting additional multicolor photometry and spectroscopy with ground-based telescopes.
The third area concerns eclipsing binary systems. We have successfully applied a novel method using occultations in binary systems to estimate component masses and orbital eccentricity. As a by-product of this analysis, we have discovered a circumbinary planet.
My research projects are highly collaborative, and I actively involve students at all levels. Recently, I established the ARDASTELLA Research Collaboration, which includes faculty, staff, PhD, graduate, and undergraduate students.
My research projects
My activity on grant review committees (including serving as chair) has allowed me to gain experience in preparing grant proposals, resulting in a number of successful applications.
Past and current Research Grants:
1. Multiplet splitting change in a pulsating subdwarf B star: Balloon 090100001 - completed
2. Stellar pulsations in Main Sequence M stars - completed
3. From pulsation frequencies to stellar interiors - a very important step in asteroseismology of pulsating hot subdwarfs - completed
4. Asteroseismology of pulsating hot subdwarfs observed with the Kepler spacecraft - completed
5. Evolution and the instability strip of hot subdwarfs in two old open clusters - completed
6. Demystifying hot subdwarf B stars by means of data taken with the Kepler, TESS and GAIA space telescopes - completed
7. RUI: Understanding the cores of horizontal branch stars via MESA, Gaia, and asteroseismology - ongoing