Curriculum Vitae
- Education
- PhD Astronomy, Boston University (August 2012), Title: Magnetic Fields in the Milky Way: Near-Infrared Polarimetry
- MA Astronomy, Boston University (May 2008)
- BA Physics, University of Florida (May 2006)
- BS Astronomy, University of Florida (May 2006)
- Research Activities
- I am currently integrating and commissioning the IGRINS high-resolution, near-infrared spectrograph that will be installed on the 2.7m Harlan J. Smith Telescope at McDonald Observatory. I plan to use IGRINS to measure magnetic fields on the surfaces of stars to help understand the fundamental magnetic field generation mechanism.
- As a graduate student, I worked on the Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS) under Professor Dan Clemens. GPIPS is a polarimetric survey of the Northern Galactic plane which will measure several million starlight polarizations. Polarization of background starlight is measured in the H band (1.6 microns) via dichroic extinction of dust grains aligned in the Galactic magnetic field. Magnetic fields are an important component of the interstellar medium (in rough energy equipartition with other components of the ISM), and their role in processes like star formation is poorly understood. The image below shows the entire GPIPS region in Galactic coordinates. Black dots represent each of our 9x9 arcmin targets and red diamonds indicate fields that have already been observed.
- My primary project is the study of the large-scale structure of the Galactic magnetic field. I am using NIR polarimetry to observationally constrain the struture of this field and to test theoretical models of Galactic dynamos. I developed a Stokes radiative transfer model that accepts a magnetic field geometry and dust distribution to predict the polarization properties across the entire sky (Pavel 2011). An example all sky polarization prediction generated using this code is shown below.
I am also studying the interaction of the Galactic magnetic field with dynamic forces as illustrated by Galactic Bubbles discovered by GLIMPSE. With knowlege of the magnetic properties of these bubbles from NIR polarimetry and gas dynamics from 13CO, I can constrain the relative magnetic and ram pressures for each bubble. Additional observations of the interiors of these bubbles will allow me to estimate the thermal pressure and fully characterize the forces affecting these bubbles.
- In support of Mimir, I have worked on the image reduction pipeline, spectral extraction software, and astrometry software. Below is the an example JHK spectrum of the A0V star 29 Vul.
- In Fall 2007 I was the Graduate Student in Residence at Lowell Observatory working on a number of different observational projects. In particular, I began a polarimetric survey of Galactic Magnetic field structure in the Outer Galaxy.
- At the University of Florida, I worked in the Infrared Astrophysics Group for two and a half years. I created AutoCAD drawings of parts for the UF machine shop, assisted with preparation of parts, and instrument assembly for the CanariCam and FLAMINGOSII instruments.
- Teaching
- In Fall 2011 I was the Teaching Assistant for "Cosmic Evolution" (AS 117), a non-majors astronomy course covering the evolution of the universe, Earth, and life.
- In Fall 2009 and Fall 2010 I was a grader for the course "Core Curriculum Natural Science I" (CC 105), a freshmen physical science course for non-science majors.
- In Spring 2008 I was the Teaching Assistant for "Introduction to Stars and Galaxies" (AS 203), an introductory astronomy course for majors. I supervised the nightime laboratory activites of the students, including several CCD observing projects.
- Affiliations
- American Astronomical Society - Junior Member
- Service and Public Outreach
- University of Florida, Preservation of Historic Buildings and Sites Committee - Member, Summer 2005
- "Starry Night" at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Presenter, April 2006
- Boston University, College of Arts and Science, Academic Policy Committee - Member, Fall 2008 - Spring 2009
- Boston Museum of Science - Discovery Center Volunteer, October 2009 - April 2012
- Society of Physics Students (SPS) Zone 1 Meeting, Graduate Student Panel, March 28 2009
- Boston Univerisy, College of Arts and Science, Natural Sciences Curriculum Committee - Member, Fall 2010 - Spring 2011
- Boston University, BU Near Space Program, Co-supervised weather balloon program, Oct 2011 - Aug 2012
- Institute for Contemporary Art, Boston, MA, Hosted Star Gazing Parties as part of Art and Science exhibit, Summer 2012
- Observing Experience
- Spring 2005, Rosemary Hill Observatory, 3 nights with 18 inch telescope
- September 2006, Perkins Telescope, 3 nights with Mimir
- June/July 2007, Perkins Telescope, 14 nights with Mimir
- September 2007, Perkins Telescope, 3 nights with PRISM
- Sept/October 2007, Perkins Telescope, 21 nights with Mimir
- December 2007, Perkins Telescope, 7 nights with Mimir
- Spring 2008, Boston University Coit Observatory, 7 nights with 10 inch telescope
- May 2008, Perkins Telescope, 9 nights with Mimir
- June 2008, Perkins Telescope, 8 nights with Mimir
- June 2009, Perkins Telescope, 7 nights with Mimir
- October 2009, Perkins Telescope, 12 nights with Mimir
- November 2009, Perkins Telescope, 6 nights with Mimir
- January 2009, Perkins Telescope, 11 nights with Mimir
- January 2009, Perkins Telescope, 5 nights with Mimir
- September 2010, Perkins Telescope, 8 nights with Mimir
- October 2010, Perkins Telescope, 2 nights with Mimir
- November 2010, Perkins Telescope, 2 nights with Mimir
- January 2011, Perkins Telescope, 8 nights with Mimir
- June 2011, Perkins Telescope, 9 nights with Mimir
- June 2012, Perkins Telescope, 11 nights with Mimir
- Meetings/Workshops Attended
- The Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling Summer School, July 24-August 4, 2006, Boston, MA
- The Evolving ISM in the Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies, The 4th Spitzer Science Center Conference, Dec 2-5, 2007, Pasadena, CA
- 211th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, January 7-11, 2008, Austin, TX
- The Cosmic Agitator - Magnetic Fields in the Galaxy, March 26-29, 2008, Lexington, KY
- 213th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, January 4-8, 2009, Long Beach, CA
- 215th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, January 3-7, 2010, Washington, DC
- Summer School in Statistics for Astronomers VI, June 7-14, 2010, State College, PA
- 217th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, January 9-13, 2011, Seattle, WA
- 218th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, May 22-16, 2011, Boston, MA
- 219th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, January 8-12, 2012, Austin, TX
- XXVIII IAU General Assembly, August 20-31, 2012, Beijing, China
- IAU SpS4 - New Era for Studying Interstellar and Intergalactic Magnetic Fields, August 20-23, 2012, Beijing, China
- IAU SpS12 - Modern Views of the Interstellar Medium, August 27-30, 2012, Beijing, China
- IAUS 294 - Solar and Astrophysical Dynamos and Magnetic Activity, August 27-31, Beijing, China
- Protostars and Planets VI, July 15-20, Heidelberg, Germany (upcoming)
- Refereed Publications
- "Near-Infrared Polarimetry of a Normal Spiral Galaxy Viewed Through the Taurus Molecular Cloud Complex" Clemens, D. P., Pavel, M. D., & Cashman, L. R. 2013 AJ, 145, 74
- "A Lack of Resolved Near-Infrared Polarization Across the Face of M51" Pavel, M. D. & Clemens, D. P. 2013, ApJL, 761, 27
- "HII Region Driven Galactic Bubbles and their Relationship to the Galactic Magnetic Field" Pavel, M. D. & Clemens, D. P. ApJ, 760, 150
- "Resolved Magnetic Field Mapping of a Molecular Cloud Using GPIPS" Marchwinski, R. M., Pavel, M. D., & Clemens, D. P., ApJ, 755, 130
- "The Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS): Data Release 1" Clemens, D. P., Pavel, M. D., & Cashman, L., ApJS, 200, 21
- "Polarimetric Calibration of Mimir and The Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS)" Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A. F., & Pavel, M. D. ApJS, 200, 20
- "The Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS)" Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A. F., Pavel, M. D., & Taylor, B. F., ApJS, 200, 19
- "Testing Galactic Magnetic Field Models Using Near-Infrared Polarimetry" Pavel, M. D., Clemens, D. P., & Pinnick, A. F., 2012, ApJ, 749, 71
- "Constraining Galactic Magnetic Field Models with Starlight Polarimetry" Pavel, M. D., 2011, ApJ, 740, 21.
- "The Discovery of a Massive Cluster of Red Supergiants with GLIMPSE", Alexander, M. J., Kobulnicky, H A., Clemens, D. P., Jameson, K., Pinnick, A., & Pavel, M., 2009, AJ, 137, 4824
- Conference Proceedings
- "GPIPS - The Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey" Clemens, D., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Taylor, B., Carveth, C., Jameson, K., & Moreau, J. 2011, Astronomical Polarimetry 2008: Science from Small to Large Telescopes, ASPC Vol. 449.
- "Polarimetry of Galactic Bubbles",Pavel, M. et al. 2009, Spitzer 4th Conference: The Evolving ISM in the Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies.
- Talks
- "Large and Intermediate Scale Magnetic Fields in the ISM" March 1 2013, UTexas ISM Seminar
- "Magnetic Fields in the Milky Way" Sept 11 2012, UTexas Colloquium
- "The Resolved Magnetic Fields of the Quiescent Cloud GRSMC 45.60+0.30" Aug 30 2012, IAU XXVIII Special Session 12.
- "The Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey" Aug 22 2012, IAU XXVIII Special Session 4.
- "Magnetic Fields in the Milky Way Probed with NIR Polarimetry" Jan 9 2012, 219th AAS, 219, 13705.
- "Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS) - Example Science Applications" May 25 2011, 218th 218th AAS, 218, 32102.
- Abstracts
- "Magnetic fields in Star Forming Regions: A GPIPS Study" Marchwinski, R. C., Pavel, M. D., & Clemens D. P. 2012, AAS, 219, 34102.
- "Polarimetric Calibration of Mimir and the Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey" Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A., & Pavel, M. D. 2010, AAS, 219, 31904.
- "Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey - First Data Release" Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Moreau, J., Marchwinski, R., Bartlett, M., & Taylor, B. 2011, AAS, 218, 32101.
- "How are Magnetic Fields Being Traced by Dust? Testing Grain Alignment Theory Using GPIPS" Jameson, K., Clemens, D. P., Marchwinski, R., Pavel, M., & Pinnick, A. 2011, AAS, 218, 31802.
- "Resolved Magnetic Field Map of GRSMC 45.60+0.30" Marchwinski, R., Pavel, M., Clemens, D., & Pinnick, A. 2011, AAS, 218, 12915.
- "Using Open Clusters to Constrain the Large Scale Structure of the Galactic Magnetic Field and the Distribution of Polarizing Dust" Pinnick, A., Clemens, D. P., & Pavel, M. 2011, AAS, 218, 23101.
- "Constraining Galactic Dynamo Models with NIR Polarimetry" Pavel, M. D., Clemens, D. P., & Pinnick, A. F. 2011, AAS, 217, 25103.
- "GPIPS Pathfinder for Three Dimensional Magnetic Fields" Moreau, J., Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A. F., & Pavel, M. D. 2011 AAS, 217, 25104.
- "Polarizations, Magnetic Fields, and Dust towards 26 Outer Galaxy Open Clusters", Pinnick, A., Clemens, D. P., & Pavel, M. 2011, AAS, 217, 25005.
- "Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS): Large-area B-field maps", Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Taylor, B., Moreau, J., Bartlett, M., & Marchwinski, R. 2011, AAS, 217, 24115.
- "Simulations of Near-IR Polarimetric Observations", Pavel, M.D. 2010 AAS, 215, 43103.
- "Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging of Star Cluster Mercer 17", Moreau, J.M., Clemens, D., Jameson, K., Pavel, M., & Pinnick, A. 2010, AAS, 215, 45527.
- "Using Synthetic Polarization Images to Test and Validate the Automated Data Analysis Pipeline for the Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey", Pinnick, A., Clemens, D.P., & Pavel, M. 2010, AAS, 215, 43802.
- "Automated Analysis Pipelines for the Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey: From Basic Image Processing to Crowded-field, Variable-PSF, Imaging Polarimetry", Clemens, D.P., Pavel, M., & Pinnick, A. 2010, AAS, 215, 43801.
- "Strong Symmetry in the outer Galactic Magnetic Field at Low Latitudes", Pavel, M.D., Pinnick, A., Clemens, D.P., & Taylor, B. 2009, AAS, 213, 48604.
- "Exploring Grains Alignment Mechanisms in Giant Molecular Clouds using GPIPS", Jameson, K., Clemens, D., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Moreau, J., & Taylor, B. 2009, AAS, 213, 48606.
- "Polarization of Open Clusters in the Galactic Plane infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS)", Pinnick, A., Clemens, D.P., Pavel, M., Jameson, K., Moreau, J., & Taylor, B. 2009, AAS, 213, 48605.
- "Discovery of a Massive Galactic Star Cluster in Aquila", Kobulnicky, H. A., Alexander, M., Clemens, D., Jameson, K., Pinnick, A., & Pavel, M. 2009, AAS, 213, 44211.
- "Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS)", Clemens, Dan P., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Jameson, K., Moreau, J., & Taylor, B. 2009, AAS, 213, 32504.
- "Latitude Survey of the Outer Galaxy Magnetic Field", Pavel, M., Pinnick, A., Clemens, D. P., & Taylor, B. 2008, The Cosmic Agitator - Magnetic Fields in the Galaxy.
- "Magnetic Fields for All: The GPIPS Community Web-Access Portal", Carveth, C., Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Jameson, K., & Taylor, B. 2007, AAS, 211, 1412.
- "NIR Spectroscopy and Imaging of the Massive Star Cluster Mercer 23", Jameson, K., Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A., & Pavel, M. 2007, AAS, 211, 5837.
- "Stalking the Milky Way Magnetic Field: GPIPS Season Two", Clemens, Dan P., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Jameson, K., Carveth, C., & Taylor, B. 2007, AAS, 211, 1411.
- "Latitude Survey of the Outer Galaxy Magnetic Field", Pavel, M., Pinnick, A., Clemens, D. P., & Taylor, B. 2007, AAS, 211, 1414.
- "GPIPS: Season One", Clemens, D. P., Pinnick, A., Pavel, M., Taylor, B., & Jameson, K. AAS, 2006, 209, 17223.
|
