I am an observational astrochemist, investigating how molecules in space are formed and reach the complexity as we know it on Earth. For this, I use infrared and sub-millimeter wave spectroscopy to observe the vibrational and rotational transitions of solid (ice) and gas phase molecules in dense clouds and star forming regions. Telescopes that I have used are space-based (ISO, Spitzer, Herschel), airborne (KAO, SOFIA), and ground based. I am a co-PI of the Ice Age team, that will obtain some of the first observations with the JWST space telescope, that will be launched in 2019. I have a special interest in high resolution spectroscopy, and have worked as a support astronomer for the Herschel/HIFI, SOFIA/EXES and now IRTF/iSHELL instruments. To interpret the telescope observations, I often make use of measurements made in Earth-based laboratories, so I work closely with laboratory astrophysicists.

Graduate Students