Curriculum Vitae
mhughes@cfa.harvard.edu
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~mhughes
Home: (401) 699-9298
2005
2010
2007
2004
2003-2004
2003
2002
2008
2007
2006
2005
2007-2008
2003-2005
2005-present
2005-present
2005-present
2007-2010
2009
2005
2003
2007-2009
2006-2009
2006-2007
![[click here for a PDF version]
A. Meredith Hughes
60 Garden St., MS 10
Cambridge, MA 02138
Office: (617) 496-2525
EDUCATION
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Ph.D. expected (advisor: Dr. David Wilner)
Thesis title: Circumstellar Disk Structure through Resolved Submillimeter Observations
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
B.S., Astronomy and Physics (with distinction), summa cum laude
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Planet formation. Circumstellar disk structure and dynamics: gas and dust. Disk evolution: viscous transport and clearing processes. Radio astronomy. Aperture synthesis techniques.
HONORS AND AWARDS
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Certificate of Distinction in Teaching, Derek Bok Center at Harvard University
George Beckwith Prize in Astronomy, Yale University
Phi Beta Kappa, Yale University (top 1% of Junior class)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RESEARCH
VLTI Training School: Circumstellar Disks and Planets at Very High Angular Resolution, Porto, Portugal
Participated in practical exercises and lectures on optical interferometry and disk observations and theory
Summer Intern (REU) with Dr. Jonathan Williams, IfA, University of Hawaii
Analyzed 12CO and 13CO observations of the Rosette Molecular Cloud; investigated star formation processes
Research Assistant to Dr. Sean O’Brien, Yale University
Wrote Monte Carlo code to simulate gravitational lensing in the Milky Way and LMC; studied MACHO events
Summer Intern (REU) with Dr. Todd Boroson, NOAO
Reduced and analyzed SDSS and archival HST quasar spectra; performed principal component analysis and studied eigenvector trends
Summer Intern with Dr. Megan Urry, Yale University
Collected and analyzed homogeneous data set of AGN spectral properties using PCA
TEACHING
Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, Science A-36: Observing the Sun and Stars
Led observing sessions, discussion sections, exam review; graded lab reports. Undergrad non-major requirement.
Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, Astronomy 218: Radio Astronomy
Guided SMA projects (imaging, spectroscopy, astrometry); led sections; graded assignments. Graduate elective.
Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, Astronomy 2: Celestial Navigation
Facilitated laboratory exercises, led recitation sections, graded problem sets, developed selected exam questions. Undergraduate and graduate elective.
Teaching Assistant, Summer Science Program, Ojai, CA
Guided gifted HS students in astronomical data collection, reduction and analysis; small-group tutoring in physics, math, astronomy, and computer science; conducted astrograph maintenance; oversaw aspects of residential life
Physics and Astronomy Tutor, Yale College Dean’s Office
Tutored Yale undergraduates one-on-one in introductory astronomy and physics (1-3 per semester)
OUTREACH
Family Night Coordinator, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
Developed a series of monthly astronomy programs for children including interactive lectures, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and observing with small telescopes
Mentor, WISHR Mentoring Program, Harvard University
Mentored female Harvard undergraduates considering majors in the physical sciences (1-2 per year)
Exhibit Hall Interpreter, Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Taught basic physical and biological concepts through interactive demonstrations with members of the public; subjects include scanning electron microscopes, ultrasound, infrared cameras, small telescopes, and live animals
Public Observatory Night Assistant, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
Operate small telescopes and answer questions about basic astronomy for members of the public
ACADEMIC SERVICE
Committee on Academic Studies, Harvard Astronomy Dept.
Monitor academic progress of graduate students in the department; represent students when issues arise
Astronomy Department Representative to Harvard Graduate Women in Science and Engineering
Plan and execute events related to the advancement of graduate women in science
Coordinator, Graduate Student Research Forum, Harvard Astronomy Dept.
Select and schedule speakers for seminar series
SKILLS
OBSERVING EXPERIENCE
Submillimeter Array – continuum and spectral line imaging in all configurations, high-resolution spectroscopy, polarimetry, eSMA development, contributed routines for MIR software package
Very Large Array – continuum imaging in all configurations
Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment – dual band spectral line survey
PROGRAMMING/SOFTWARE
IDL, FORTRAN (77 & 90), C, C++, Mathematica, MIRIAD, MIR, AIPS, CLASS
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
9. New Stringent Limits on the Polarized Submillimeter Emission from Protoplanetary Disks
A. M. Hughes, D. J. Wilner, J. Cho, D. P. Marrone, A. Lazarian, S. M. Andrews, R. Rao
Astrophysical Journal, in press (arXiv:0909:1345)
8. Protoplanetary Disk Structures in Ophiuchus
S. M. Andrews, D. J. Wilner, A. M. Hughes, C. Qi, C. P. Dullemond
Astrophysical Journal, 700, 1502, 2009 (arXiv:0904.0280)
7. IRC+10216's Innermost Envelope -- The eSMA's View
H. Shinnaga, K. H. Young, R. P. J. Tilanus, R. Chamberlin, M. A. Gurwell, D. J. Wilner,
A. M. Hughes, H. Yoshida, R. Peng, B. Force, P. Friberg, S. Bottinelli, E. F. van Dishoek,
T. G. Phillips
Astrophysical Journal, 698, 1924, 2009 (arXiv:0904.0280)
6. A Spatially Resolved Inner Hole in the Disk around GM Aurigae
A. M. Hughes, S. M. Andrews, C. Espaillat, D. J. Wilner, N. Calvet, P. D’Alessio, C. Qi,
J. P. Williams, M. R. Hogerheijde,
Astrophysical Journal, 698, 131, 2009 (arXiv:0903.4455)
5. Detection of CI in absorption towards PKS 1830-211 with the eSMA
S. Bottinelli, A. M. Hughes, E. F. van Dishoek, K. H. Young, R. Chamberlin, R. P. J. Tilanus,
M. A. Gurwell, D. J. Wilner, H. J. van Langevelde, R. D. Christensen, H. Shinnaga, H. Yoshida
Astrophysical Journal Letters, 690L, 130, 2009 (arXiv: 0811:3944)
4. A Resolved Molecular Gas Disk around the Nearby A Star 49 Ceti
A. M. Hughes, D. J. Wilner, I. Kamp, M. R. Hogerheijde,
Astrophysical Journal, 681, 626, 2008 (arXiv:0803.3481)
3. The Structure of the DoAr 25 Circumstellar Disk
S. M. Andrews, A. M. Hughes, D. J. Wilner, C. Qi,
Astrophysical Journal Letters, 678L, 133, 2008 (arXiv:0804.0437)
2. Gas and Dust Emission at the Outer Edges of Protoplanetary Disks
A. M. Hughes, D. J. Wilner, C. Qi, M. R. Hogerheijde,
Astrophysical Journal, 678, 1119, 2008 (arXiv:0801.4763)
1. An Inner Hole in the Disk around TW Hydrae Resolved in 7 Millimeter Dust Emission
A. M. Hughes, D. J. Wilner, N. Calvet, P. D’Alessio, M. J. Claussen, M. R. Hogerheijde,
Astrophysical Journal, 664, 536, 2007 (arXiv:0704.2422)
UNREFEREED PUBLICATION
1. The eSMA: Description and First Results
S. Bottinelli, K. H. Young, R. Chamberlin, R. P. J. Tilanus, M. A. Gurwell, D. J. Wilner,
H. Shinnaga, H. Yoshida, P. Friberg, H. J. van Langevelde, E. F. van Dishoeck,
M. R. Hogerheijde, A. M. Hughes, R. D. Christensen, R. E. Hills, J. S. Richer, E. Curtis,
Proceedings of the SPIE, Volume 7012, pp. 70120D-70120D-12, 2008 (arXiv:0808.2554)
CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS
9. Millimeter Wavelength Signatures of Viscous Transport in Protoplanetary Disks (poster)
A. Meredith Hughes, David Wilner, Jungyeon Cho, Sean Andrews, Dan Marrone, Alex Lazarian,
Ram Rao, Michiel Hogerheijde
Gordon Conference: Origins of Solar Systems, 2009 (Northampton, MA)
8. Constraining Polarized Emission from Circumstellar Disks (contributed talk)
A. Meredith Hughes, David Wilner, Jungyeon Cho, Alex Lazarian, Dan Marrone,
Ram Rao, Sean Andrews
CfA SMA Science Symposium, 2009 (Cambridge, MA)
7. Millimeter-Wavelength Signatures of Disk Accretion (poster)
A. Meredith Hughes, David J. Wilner, Sean M. Andrews, Chunhua Qi, Jungyeon Cho,
Alex Lazarian, Daniel P. Marrone, Ram Rao, Shin-Yi Lin, Michiel R. Hogerheijde
5th Spitzer Science Conference: New Light on Young Stars, 2008 (Pasadena, CA)
6. Resolving Structure in Transition Disks: Inner Holes (poster)
A. Meredith Hughes, David J. Wilner, Nuria Calvet, Chunhua Qi, Mark Claussen, Sean Andrews, Jonathan Williams
Transformational Science with ALMA 2007 (Charlottesville, VA)
5. A Resolved Molecular Gas Disk around 49 Ceti (contributed talk)
David J. Wilner, A. Meredith Hughes, Inga Kamp
Transformational Science with ALMA 2007 (Charlottesville, VA)
4. Resolving Structure in Transition Disks Around Young Stars: Inner Holes (poster)
A. Meredith Hughes, David J. Wilner, Nuria Calvet, Chunhua Qi, Mark Claussen,
Sean Andrews, Jonathan Williams
ALMA Symposium 2006 (Madrid, Spain)
3. Self-Similarity in the Rosette Molecular Cloud (poster)
A. Meredith Hughes, Jonathan P. Williams
American Astronomical Society Meeting #205, 2004 (San Diego, CA)
2. Are the MACHO Microlenses in Front of the Magellanic Clouds or Behind Them?
M. Sean O’Brien, A. Meredith Hughes, Kailash C. Sahu
American Astronomical Society Meeting #203, 2003 (Atlanta, GA)
1. Principal Component Analysis of New QSO Samples (poster)
A. Meredith Hughes, Todd A. Boroson
American Astronomical Society Meeting #203, 2003 (Atlanta, GA)](CV_files/shapeimage_1.png)
