How do super-massive black holes affect their host galaxies?

My research explores the evolutionary link between galaxies and their central supermassive black holes. Specifically, I examine "active galactic nuclei", or AGNs, where material falling onto the black hole produces an enormous amount of light across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. By examining "obscured" AGNs, where central dust blocks a large amount of this AGN emission, I can look at their host galaxies to explore how the AGN emission can affect star-formation and gas dynamics.

To explore AGN host galaxies, I focus on optical and near-infrared spectroscopy, where I can examine the light as a function of wavelength to see how AGNs can ionize and disturb gas. My graduate thesis focused on AGNs at high redshift, while my postdoctoral research has centered on the search for nearby obscured quasars.

Selected Publications