I study the environments surrounding supermassive black holes called active galactic nuclei (AGN). Understanding how matter falls into an AGN reveals a great deal about the conditions and geometry around it, and can even disclose properties of the black hole itself (e.g. mass and spin). I use X-ray observations to facilitate my work. X-rays are produced in the hottest and most volatile regions nearest black holes.
I am also involved in a number of new and upcoming missions that will revolutionize the field of X-ray astronomy in the near future.
I am always interested in working with motivated students.