Haley Gomez
I obtained my first degree from Cardiff University in 2001 and stayed on to complete a PhD in Astronomy with Prof Mike Edmunds (working closely with Loretta Dunne and Stephen Eales). My PhD was awarded in 2004. I obtained a research fellowship with the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 to carry out post-doctoral research during 2004-2005. I then was hired here at Cardiff as a fixed term lecturer in 2006.
The goal of my work is to understand the formation and evolution of cosmic dust, particularly where it is formed. Cosmic dust is a nuisance to astronomers as it blocks out optical light, affecting our view of the Universe. It is also very important as dust affects star formation, stellar mass loss rates, the formation of molecular hydrogen and planets. Our latest work suggests that supernovae or their progenitor stars may be responsible for polluting the interstellar medium with lots of dust. Previously it was thought that low mass stars, which take around a billion years to evolve, were the main contributor to the dust budget. This is especially important in the early Universe where fast-lived, massive stars would be the only source of dust.
I am passionate about outreach and have presented to a number of local astronomical societies, helped out with local museum events, featured on local and national radio, and organised an astronomy club in a local school for a year. I was chosen to be part of STFC's Portrait of an Astronomer, an exhibition of UK astronomers for IYA2009. In 2009, I was also invited to give two lectures at Cardiff Scientific Society and the FAS. As part of a volunteer fellowship with the Faulkes Telescope project, I have provided training for teachers in the use of robotic telescopes and entry-level astronomy including the design of astronomy-based resources to use in the classroom both in the UK and internationally (as part of European Hands on Universe). I have also helped create educational activities for Las Cumbres Observatory. I am a member of the Sense About Science group (a charity promoting good science and evidence for the public), and helped to write a publication for young/new scientists on how to work positively with the media (Standing up for Science, 2005) which was sent to every graduate school in the UK. We also caused a national stir with our publication on Debunking Detox and Detox Dossier which was discussed in newspapers worldwide. I am also involved with promoting women in Science through WISE (Women into Science, Engineering and Construction) as a committee member on the Wise in Wales board and as a role model, through WISE, I was able to take part in the Science Made Simple's Superstars series as a "Superstar" for a show aimed at primary school children, currently touring across Wales and Tokyo. I am an active member of the Herschel Outreach Group and a Science Engineering Ambassador.
Supervisors: Mike Edmunds
The goal of my work is to understand the formation and evolution of cosmic dust, particularly where it is formed. Cosmic dust is a nuisance to astronomers as it blocks out optical light, affecting our view of the Universe. It is also very important as dust affects star formation, stellar mass loss rates, the formation of molecular hydrogen and planets. Our latest work suggests that supernovae or their progenitor stars may be responsible for polluting the interstellar medium with lots of dust. Previously it was thought that low mass stars, which take around a billion years to evolve, were the main contributor to the dust budget. This is especially important in the early Universe where fast-lived, massive stars would be the only source of dust.
I am passionate about outreach and have presented to a number of local astronomical societies, helped out with local museum events, featured on local and national radio, and organised an astronomy club in a local school for a year. I was chosen to be part of STFC's Portrait of an Astronomer, an exhibition of UK astronomers for IYA2009. In 2009, I was also invited to give two lectures at Cardiff Scientific Society and the FAS. As part of a volunteer fellowship with the Faulkes Telescope project, I have provided training for teachers in the use of robotic telescopes and entry-level astronomy including the design of astronomy-based resources to use in the classroom both in the UK and internationally (as part of European Hands on Universe). I have also helped create educational activities for Las Cumbres Observatory. I am a member of the Sense About Science group (a charity promoting good science and evidence for the public), and helped to write a publication for young/new scientists on how to work positively with the media (Standing up for Science, 2005) which was sent to every graduate school in the UK. We also caused a national stir with our publication on Debunking Detox and Detox Dossier which was discussed in newspapers worldwide. I am also involved with promoting women in Science through WISE (Women into Science, Engineering and Construction) as a committee member on the Wise in Wales board and as a role model, through WISE, I was able to take part in the Science Made Simple's Superstars series as a "Superstar" for a show aimed at primary school children, currently touring across Wales and Tokyo. I am an active member of the Herschel Outreach Group and a Science Engineering Ambassador.
Supervisors: Mike Edmunds
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