Research
An Energy Balance Model of Titan’s Hydroclimate
Frequently described as the solar system body most analogous to Earth, Titan is the only other nearby world to feature an active hydrological cycle, a process of constant interaction between the atmosphere, surface and subsurface that circulates liquid methane through processes of evaporation and precipitation. We construct an energy balance model to simulate and investigate Titan’s hydroclimate, specifically the mechanisms driving global energy and moisture transport.
In realizing a one-dimensional model of the latitudinal dependence of energetic and hydrological processes, the sensitivity of climate system parameters can be explored at low computational costs. The model is calibrated on known climatological results for energy distribution on Earth, then applied to Titan. By numerically integrating differential equations that evaluate moist static energy flux and its relationship to solar heating, the Titan version accurately replicates known energy and moisture profiles. Implementing a recursive feedback function, we show that the model permits the natural emergence of a convergent solution for the relative humidity profile, matching that observed by data. By illuminating the intuition behind the planetary constraints governing moisture distribution, the model provides a flexible, accessible starting point for further investigation of Titan’s energetic processes.
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Received critical commendation from Yale physics professor Charles Baltay. Contributed to my attainment of distinction in the Physics major and induction into Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society. Model and code available here.
Is String Theory the Answer?
It’s mankind’s most complete understanding of the structure and composition of the universe, but its golden years are rapidly fading from view, replaced by an increasingly troublesome theoretical crossroads. This research project analyzes the history of string theory’s embattled framework as well as its controversies, physical underpinnings, and principal insights.
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Received critical commendation from Yale physics professor John Harris.
The Double Pendulum
The double pendulum is an example of a chaotic system, one extremely sensitive to the initial conditions that govern its apparently random behavior. This mathematical review examines the double pendulum and the methods for solving and grappling with its complex dynamics.
Minkowski Spacetime Diagrams
The mind-bending, almost-magical brainchild of Albert Einstein, special relativity characterizes the relationship between space, light, and time. This technical summary recounts the theory’s key mathematical underpinnings and breaks down the diagrams used to analyze it.
Obama–Era Missteps in Egypt and Their Effects on International Relations
The Arab Spring was a 2011 wave of democratic uprisings seeking to overthrow historically repressive autocratic regimes. In Egypt, a hopeful, progressive people ousted longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak, but two years later found itself once more subjugated to dictatorial rule after a military coup. How did the policies – and inaction – of the United States, arguably Egypt’s most important ally, contribute to this sequence of events, and could the Obama Administration have done more to solidify lasting foundations of democracy in the country?
Articles – Yale Scientific Magazine
The Future of Data Storage is Hidden in Plain Sight
Data has become an integral part of a working human society. What if we could store it in everyday items using DNA?
Secrets of the Synapse: New Insights Provide Critical Clues to Understanding Sleep
Researchers have pinpointed the responsibilities of each of the two primary forces driving sleep cycle regulation.
The Dynamics of Wound Healing: Understanding cancer through the physics of cell movement
In a potential breakthrough in the fight against cancer, Yale researchers have identified conservation of physical properties associated with cellular movement, providing a deeper understand of wound healing.
Yale Team Provides Link Between Cannabis and Aggressive Behavior
The Yale Department of Psychiatry has pinpointed the gene that controls aggression in response to cannabis. The discovery could potentially help inform and shape the national discussion of recreational cannabis usage.