Research

 

My research focuses on exploring the possible climates and potential habitability of planets orbiting low-mass stars. Smaller, lower-mass stars are not only the most numerous type of stars in our galaxy, but are also the most promising type of stars to host smaller, Earth-sized planets. They offer the best chance of finding habitable planets through sheer numbers alone, making planets orbiting these small, cool, red- or “M-dwarf” stars prime (though complex, as elaborated on in our recent review paper) targets to prioritize in our search for another habitable planet like the Earth.

I use many different types of computer models in my work, including climate models traditionally used to predict climate and weather patterns on the Earth. I also use actual data for recently-discovered planetary systems acquired by ground- and space-based missions such as Kepler and TESS. This combined approach helps me to determine the surface, atmospheric, and orbital conditions necessary for surface liquid water to exist on the most promising candidates for habitable planets in these systems.