Research

I study how massive stars form, evolve, and interact in binaries, and how these pathways lead to compact object (black hole/neutron star) mergers. My work links uncertain binary evolution physics and dense stellar environments (including N-body dynamics of star clusters) to the populations observed in gravitational wave catalogs and electromagnetic surveys.

I am strongly committed to teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds. To date, I have co-supervised two PhD students and supervised two Master’s students, and I aim to create an engaging, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.

Current themes

• Compact binaries & populations: formation channels, merger rates, and observable demographics (mass, spin, eccentricity)
• Pulsars & neutron-star astrophysics: connecting radio/X-ray pulsar populations to evolutionary pathways
• Multi-messenger connections: what joint GW + EM constraints reveal about compact objects
• Massive black holes: intermediate-mass black holes and their signatures in globular clusters and nuclear star clusters
• Open, reusable tools: code + data products that enable reproducible population studies

Recognition, invited talks & professional service

My contributions have been recognized with several distinctions and invitations, including:

• 2020 HDR Outstanding Article Award (PhD) and commendations for postgraduate awards at Swinburne University of Technology
• Nominations for major thesis prizes (including the Charlene Heisler Prize and Iain Wallace Research Medal)
• Scientific service including a Scientific Organizing Committee role for a gravitational-wave session at National Astronomy Meeting 2023
• Participation in a workshop at the Aspen Center for Physics
• Invited presentations including a HEAD seminar at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian
• Invited speaker at King’s College London during the Higgs Lecture (Dame Jocelyn Bell) and the workshop “New Physics with Neutron Stars”
• Invited talk at IAU Symposium 398 & MODEST-25 (including proceedings contribution)
• Panellist on the NSF–Simons SkAI@REACH Outreach Panel on AI in Astrophysics (July 2025)

In 2024, I had the extraordinary honour of serving as Master of Ceremony at the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, representing the Royal Astronomical Society—the first time this role was offered to a young scientist. This remains one of the most meaningful moments of my career: helping shape a global scientific conversation at the highest level. My work and service have been recognized through multiple honours and invitations, including the 2020 HDR Outstanding Article Award and commendations for postgraduate awards. I’ve also contributed to the community through conference organization and invited talks (refer to CV, and Outreach for YouTube/SoundCloud/KITP links).

I have organized seminar series to foster departmental exchange, and served in academic leadership roles—including being elected as Student Representative and Council Member of the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA), where I advocated for student needs and implemented initiatives to improve the student experience.