FAITH HAWTHORN
PhD Student, University of Warwick
ABOUT
I'm Faith (she/her), and I am a PhD student in the Astronomy and Astrophysics group at the University of Warwick.
I graduated from the University of Kent with an MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics in 2019.
RESEARCH
University of Warwick
PHD - EXOPLANET ASTRONOMY
My PhD work involves using new data from NASA's TESS mission and the NGTS array (Paranal Observatory, Chile) to search for transiting exoplanets.
I am in the second year of my PhD study, and my previous work involves building Python tools to produce light curves from TESS data on various platforms. My current work includes analysis and global statistical modelling of a new planetary candidate system, TOI-836, predicted to host a super-Earth planet and sub-Neptune planet with significant transit timing variations (TTVs). We have now submitted our paper as of March 2022.
I am a member of the TESS Follow-Up Observing Program (TFOP), the monotransits working group of NGTS, and the Astronomers for Planet Earth initiative (Astro4Earth).
I also have experience observing with ESO's HARPS spectrograph at La Silla Observatory, Chile, scheduling observations of stellar spectra for radial velocity data on behalf of fellow exoplanet researchers.
University of Kent
MPHYS - PHYSICS WITH ASTROPHYSICS
My MPhys dissertation, entitled 'Understanding Massive Star Formation', discussed the proposal and testing of a stage-based model of massive star formation using IDL code, with particular focus on bolometric temperature evolution and the Lyman excess problem. I also completed a dissertation during my undergraduate study entitled 'An Assessment of Triton as a Target for Studies of Habitability', in which I designed a research project to test new equipment ahead of a mission to Triton, based upon previous habitability research conducted on other icy moons of the Solar system.
PUBLICATIONS
[SUBMITTED]
TOI-836: A SUPER-EARTH AND MINI-NEPTUNE TRANSITING A NEARBY K-DWARF
[Abstract]
[IN PREP]
DUOTRANSIT CANDIDATES FROM THE TESS SOUTHERN ECLIPTIC HEMISPHERE
[Abstract]
CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS
BUILDING HABITABLE WORLDS
University of Kent
February 2019
EXPANDING WORLDVIEWS: ASTROBIOLOGY, BIG HISTORY AND COSMIC PERSPECTIVES
Birkbeck, University of London
September 2019
IOP-SEPNET WOMEN IN PHYSICS WEBINAR
IOP, SEPnet
December 2020
LGBTQ+ STEMINAR 2021
University of Oxford, SiSTEMM LGBTQ+ staff/student network
January 2021
UKRI STFC INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN ASTRONOMY FOR NEW RESEARCH STUDENTS
UKEXOM 2021
University of Birmingham
April 2021
EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS: FROM SPACE TO PEOPLE
University of Exeter
May 2021
ERES 2021
Princeton University
May 2021
2021 SAGAN EXOPLANET SUMMER VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
NExScI (NASA Exoplanet Science Institute), California Institute of Technology
July 2021
ASTROBIOLOGY INTRODUCTORY COURSE (RED '21)
Société Française d'Exobiologie
June 2021
CHEOPS SCIENCE WORKSHOP VI
ESA, University of Bern
January 2022
LGBTQ+ STEMINAR 2022
LGBTQ+ STEM, The STEM Village, STEM Equals, University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde
January 2022
GPRV WORKSHOP
University of Oxford
March 2022
EAS ANNUAL MEETING VALENCIA 2022
European Astronomical Society
June 2022
TEACHING AND OUTREACH
I worked as a Senior Graduate Teaching Assistant for the first year undergraduate Mathematics module at the University of Warwick, during the first and second years of my PhD studies. My responsibilities included marking and grading weekly assignments and delivering two seminar classes per week.
I also worked independently as a private tutor from October 2019 to June 2021, teaching Mathematics and Physics to GCSE and A-Level, working with students across a wide range of abilities, ages and academic backgrounds.
I am a student committee member for the monthly Equitea meeting, a forum designed to discuss topics related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) in relation to Astronomy, Physics and STEM. I have co-chaired two of these meetings thus far. In October 2021, I coordinated a fundraising month in aid of OCD-UK, which raised £530 in total for the charity. I have also taken the university's Active Bystander Intervention Course.
I also assist in organising events with the Centre for Exoplanets and Habitability here at Warwick, and I have also been a student ambassador for the wider Physics department, assisting with open days for prospective students.
During my undergraduate study I was the treasurer of the University of Kent Space Society, with my responsibilities being managing society budgets and accounts, and processing a development fund from Kent Union to install wireless internet at the telescope dome. We also hosted an event in May 2016 for the Mercury transit, inviting local college students and astronomy enthusiasts to safely observe the transit using our 12-inch telescope.
BIOGRAPHY
I was a member of the Air Training Corps (ATC) based at 2427 Biggin Hill Squadron from 2011-2015, where I attained the rank of Cadet Corporal, and was an active member of the Squadron Marching Band playing Bell Lyre.
In addition to my lifelong interest in science and astronomy, I am also a musician, playing cello and piano for 17 years in over 15 different musical groups and orchestras. I have also played bass guitar for 3 years, self-taught, playing mostly progressive rock, alternative rock and metal. I currently play and sing for two bands - Moonscream and Femicide.
Outside of my research I am also interested in art conservation, osteology, ARGs and transmedia storytelling, gardening and collecting vinyl records.
CONTACT
Faith Hawthorn
Department of Physics,
University of Warwick,
Coventry CV4 7AL
UK
faith.hawthorn[at]warwick.ac.uk