Research Areas: Cataclysmic Variable Stars; Kepler Time Series Analysis of CVs; Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics; White Dwarf Evolution; White Dwarf Pulsation; Time-Series Analysis

We study both theoretical and observational aspects of close interacting binary stars and of the white dwarf stars. Our primary research area is the numerical modeling of the accretion flows between the interacting close binary stars known as “cataclysmic variables.” (See link at left). We model the fluid dynamics of accretion disks and use the model results to improve our understanding of the observations of these systems, and to generate computer animations of cataclysmic variable systems for use in the classroom. We also observe these systems on a frequent basis using the SARA 0.9-m Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory as well as the SARA 0.6-m telescope at Cerro Tololo International Observatory.