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Crystal G. Austin
Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota
116 Church St. SE,  Minneapolis, MN 55455
caustin@astro.umn.edu
http://www.astro.umn.edu/~caustin
 
Education:

2008 (expected)
Doctoral Candidate in Astrophysics
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Advisor: Dr. Liliya L. R. Williams
·         Dissertation Title: The phase-space structure of dark matter halos
·         Supporting Program: Leadership, Physics
2003
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Math minor
·         Thesis: Analytical Methods for Finding Gravitational Shear in Lensing Systems

Publications:
The Role of the Radial Orbit Instability in Dark Matter Halo Formation and Structure
Jill M. Meyer, Julianne J. Dalcanton, Crystal G. Austin, Eric I. Barnes, Liliya L. R. Williams, Arif Babul
Galaxy Evolution Across the Hubble Time, International Astronomical Union. Symposium no. 235, held 14-17 August, 2006 in Prague, Czech Republic, S235, #278

Semianalytical Dark Matter Halos and the Jeans Equation
Crystal Austin, Liliya L.R. Williams, Eric Barnes, Arif Babul, Julianne Dalcanton
The Astrophysical Journal, 2005, Volume 634, Issue 2, pp. 756-774.

The phase-space density distribution of dark matter halos
Liliya L.R. Williams, Crystal Austin, Eric Barnes, Arif Babul, Julianne Dalcanton
Proceedings of Science, published by SISSA; Conference: "Baryons in Dark Matter Halos", Novigrad, Croatia, 2004

Presentations and Posters:
2008
Simulations of Dark Matter Halos
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Poster Session
Minneapolis, MN

Current Simulations of Dark Matter
Invited Presentation at Gustavus Adolphus College
St. Peter, MN

2007
Semi-analytic and Numerical Simulations of Dark Matter Halos
Dark Matter Workshop at the Neils Bohr Institute
Copenhagen, Denmark

Simulations of Dark Matter Halos and Resulting Properties
Tracing Cosmic Evolution with Clusters of Galaxies Meeting
Sesto, Italy

2006
Dark Matter around Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies
University of St. Thomas Seminar
St. Paul, MN

Current research in Dark Matter Halo Simulations
U of MN Cosmology Seminar
Minneapolis, MN

2005
ESIM dark matter halos and the Phase Space Density Power Law
Probing Early Structure Formation with Mass, Light, and Chemistry Workshop
Minneapolis, MN

ESIM dark matter halos and the Phase Space Density Power Law
206th AAS Meeting
Minneapolis, MN

Research Experience:

6/2004 to present
Research Assistant
Astronomy Department, University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Phase space density profiles of dark matter halos
·         Programming with FORTRAN and SUPERMONGO
·         Paper published in the Astrophysical Journal and two related presentations made at meetings
·         NBODY coding with PKDGRAV, C++, and TIPSY
8/2002 - 5/2003
Senior Thesis Research
Astronomy Department, University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Research previous work in Gravitational Lensing
·         Build web page to facilitate project data
·         Data Analysis and Model Fitting
·         Programming in Fortran and C++
·         Unix based programming
·         Final senior thesis paper
5/2002 - 5/2003
Research Assistant/REU Program
H-CAL US CMS project, Physics Dept., University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Radiation Training and operation of 5 Curie Californium Source
·         Study of Hybrid Photo-multiplier Tubes
·         Data acquisition and analysis
·         C++ programming
1/2002 - 1/2003
Research Assistant
MINOS Project, Physics Dept., University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Completed inventory shipments and quality data entry
·         Sample, polish and test optical fiber light attenuation length
·         Data entry and analysis
·         Photo-multiplier tube and high voltage operations
·         Re-‘spooling’ optical fiber
1/2002 - 5/2002
Junior Research Project
University of Minnesota, Physics Dept.  
Minneapolis, MN
·         Built scintillation device
·         Photo-multiplier tube operation
·         Responsible for data collection, entry, and analysis
·         Final presentation, paper, and web page
10/2000 - 10/2001
Research Assistant and Student Supervisor
MINOS Project, Physics Dept., University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN
·         Built particle detectors for the MINOS project
·         Scintillator, optical fiber experience
·         Supervising students and quality control

Teaching Experience:

2008
Lecturer, Instructor
Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Taught Astronomy 1001 Lecture, Summer term
·         23 Students
·         Created syllabi, exams, and assigned grades.
·         Coordinated with the lab instructor.
·         Planned class, handouts, in class activities, and demonstrations.
·         Worked with students to understand the material.
·         Help developed students' critical thinking skills.
2007
Guest Lecturer
Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Taught Astronomy 1001 Lecture
·         156 enrolled students
·         Topics covered: Structure of the Milky Way Galaxy, Interstellar Medium, Gas-Star-Gas cycle, the vacuum of space, Spiral arm structure
2005 to 2006
Head Teaching Assistant
Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Managed peer teaching assistants
·         Taught introductory astronomy lab for non-majors
·         Scheduled labs, office hours, proctoring, and public observing nights
·         Created syllabi and set due dates
·         Lead weekly TA meetings
·         Collaborated with faculty professors
·         Planned, scheduled, and executed TA training
·         Setup, stocked, and acquired lab equipment
·         Managerial and inter-personal problem solving
·         Collaborated with lab writing/editing
2003 - 2006
Teaching Assistant, Lab Instructor
Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Planned and taught introductory astronomy labs for non-majors
·         Collaborated with lab writing/editing
·         Assigned and graded essay topics
·         Assisted students with writing skills

Professional Development:

9/2006 to present
Faculty Liaison for Graduate Student Body
Department of Astronomy, University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Attended faculty meetings on behalf of the graduate students
·         Communicated student concerns to the faculty
·         Informed graduate students of possible changes to the department
9/2005 to present
COGS IT Consultative Committee.
University of Minnesota 
Minneapolis, MN
·         Council of Graduate Students (COGS) representative
·         Committee member for the 2005-2006 year
·         Meet with the IT Dean, IT Associate Dean, and elected members
·         Make recommendations and take initiatives regarding the Institute of Technology (IT)
9/2003 to 5/2007
Women in Physics and Astronomy
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Officer for the 2004-2005 year
·         Officer for the 2005-2006 year
·         Officer for the 2006-2007 year
·         Organized events and speakers
·         Created/Maintained web page to facilitate purpose
9/2000 - 9/2003
Society of Physics Students
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
·         Voted president for the 2002-2003 year
·         Organization of activities and outreach
·         Participated in University of Minnesota and IT events
·         Improvement of facilities
·         Local and National Charter Member
·         Budgeting responsibilities

Community Service and Outreach
2008
         Solar System Presentation: Calvin Christian Elementary School – Kindergarten
Minneapolis, MN
2007
         Universe in the Park:  Telescope viewing and presentation      
Afton, MN
         Universe in the Park:  Telescope viewing and presentation      
Gooseberry Falls, MN
2006
         Solar System Presentation:  Hillcrest Elementary School - 3rd Grade  
Bloomington, MN
         Solar System Presentation:  Morris Bye Elementary School - 5th Grade
Coon Rapids, MN
         Solar System Presentation:  Boy Scouts
Ramsey, MN
         Universe in the Park:  Telescope viewing and presentation      
Split Rock, MN
         Big Bang Presentation at Eden Prairie High School               
Eden Prairie, MN
2005
         "Science on Screen" Presentation at the Bell Museum                      
Minneapolis, MN
         Big Bang Presentation at Eden Prairie High School               
Eden Prairie, MN
         Telescope Viewing for Girl Scouts, Camp Greenwood             
Buffalo, MN
         The Solar System and Space Missions in K-3 Child Care
Burnsville, MN
2004
         Solar System Presentation at Zachary Lane Elementary School        
Plymouth, MN        
         Sky Viewing and Interview an Astronomer for Coon Rapids Cub Scout 524
Minneapolis, MN
         Telescope viewing for Cub Scouts
Minneapolis, MN
         Introduction to the Solar System with K-2nd Students                       
Minneapolis, MN
         Universe in the Park:  Telescope viewing and presentation      
Lake Maria, MN
         Universe in the Park:  Telescope viewing and presentation      
O'Brien, MN
         Universe in the Park:  Telescope viewing and presentation      
Nerstrand, MN
2003
         Presentation on Mars and the History of Astronomy for a Church Group
Bloomington, MN
         Solar System Presentation at Hope Academy School            
Minneapolis, MN

Honors and Awards:

2007-2008         UMN Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
2006                 MN Space Grant Fellowship (via NASA)
2003                 UMN Student Leadership Award
1999 - 2001       Gopher Gold Scholarship
1999 - 2000       John Morrell & Co. Scholarship

Professional Affiliations
2005 – present                American Astronomical Society
2006 – present                Sigma Delta Epsilon - Graduate Women in Science