ABOUT Kyle
I’m a theoretical and computational astrophysicist currently working as an NSF Fellow at Caltech and Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, CA.
My research program spans a wide spectrum of topics related to stellar dynamics and compact object physics. Broadly, the main question I aim to answer is: How do dynamical processes relevant in multibody systems lead to evolutionary outcomes not possible for isolated stars or binaries? I use both computational and analytic methods to study the role of dynamical processes upon a number of areas in astrophysics including globular cluster dynamics, binary star evolution, X-ray binaries, gravitational wave sources, fast radio bursts, planetary systems, r-process nucleosynthesis, millisecond pulsars, and tidal disruption events. I'm especially excited about applications to current/upcoming gravitational wave detectors (e.g., LIGO & LISA) and transient observatories (Rubin). You can read specifics about a few of my research projects here.
I grew up in Kettering, OH and attended Northwestern University for my undergraduate studies where I double majored in physics and music performance. After undergrad, I spent three years pursuing a career as an orchestral musician (earning a master of music degree at the Colburn School in Los Angeles in 2015) before ultimately returning to Northwestern where I completed my PhD in astronomy in 2019, advised by Fred Rasio. After finishing my PhD, I moved back to southern California for my current position at Caltech/Carnegie.
My research program spans a wide spectrum of topics related to stellar dynamics and compact object physics. Broadly, the main question I aim to answer is: How do dynamical processes relevant in multibody systems lead to evolutionary outcomes not possible for isolated stars or binaries? I use both computational and analytic methods to study the role of dynamical processes upon a number of areas in astrophysics including globular cluster dynamics, binary star evolution, X-ray binaries, gravitational wave sources, fast radio bursts, planetary systems, r-process nucleosynthesis, millisecond pulsars, and tidal disruption events. I'm especially excited about applications to current/upcoming gravitational wave detectors (e.g., LIGO & LISA) and transient observatories (Rubin). You can read specifics about a few of my research projects here.
I grew up in Kettering, OH and attended Northwestern University for my undergraduate studies where I double majored in physics and music performance. After undergrad, I spent three years pursuing a career as an orchestral musician (earning a master of music degree at the Colburn School in Los Angeles in 2015) before ultimately returning to Northwestern where I completed my PhD in astronomy in 2019, advised by Fred Rasio. After finishing my PhD, I moved back to southern California for my current position at Caltech/Carnegie.