Ph.D. in Astronomy, University of Wisconsin - Madison expected 2005
“Tidal Debris in Starburst Galaxies” – optical colors of low
surface
brightness features; stellar population analysis. Advisor Jay Gallagher.
University of Göttingen 2004
Spent two weeks working with Uta Fritze-von Alvensleben and Polis
Papaderos, using stellar population synthesis models and developing new
methods for determining the surface brightness profiles of disk galaxies.
M.S. in Astronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 2003
Minor in physics.
B.A. in Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 2000
Minors in computer science and music.
Junior Year Abroad University of Bristol, Bristol, England 1998-1999
Research Assistant: University of Wisconsin 2002 to present
Research Assistant under the direction of Prof. John S. Gallagher. Exploration
of the cosmic star formation history as indicated by the stellar content of
the local universe; investigation of starbursting galaxies with evidence of
collision, and the impact of the starburst on the host galaxy.
Grad Queue 2002 to present
Participated in an entirely student-run initiative to use graduate “queue”
time available on the WIYN 3.5m. Together with two other students, I developed
a project to study the H-alpha emission of Hickson Compact Groups. We also obtained
SparsePak data to observe the velocity fields of our chosen HCG. The resulting
publication is currently in preparation, with an expected submission date of
February 2005.
Research Assistant: University of Wisconsin 2001
Research Assistant under the direction of Prof. Amy J. Barger. Analysis of Extremely
Red Objects (EROs) and their submillimeter properties.
Senior Project: Case Western Reserve University 1999-2000
Senior thesis under the direction of Prof. Glenn Starkman. Examination of the
probability of detection of extra-solar planets with the Big Occulting Steerable
Satellite (BOSS).
Mauna Kea:
2 runs,13 nights University of Hawaii 2.2m (QUIRC NIR).
Kitt Peak:
5 runs, 14 nights WIYN 3.5m. (Minimo, NIRIM, SparsePak)
4 runs, 23 nights at the WIYN 0.9m.
1 run, 4 nights at the 2.1m (SQIID NIR)
Mentoring: University of Wisconsin 2004
Mentored a summer, undergraduate research student working interacting galaxies.
Was the primary contact for student, guided her research project, set work hours,
answered questions, and assigned readings.
Astronomy 103/104 Honors Session 2004
Co-taught the 6-session honors component of the introductory astronomy courses.
Responsibilities included developing new course materials, leading sessions
and the defining the overall structure of the class.
Teaching Assistant: University of Wisconsin 2001
Teaching Assistant for Prof. Blair Savage for an introductory astronomy course
in stellar and extragalactic astronomy. Led discussion sections, observing nights
and helped students prepare for exams.
Teaching Assistant: University of Wisconsin 2000
Teaching Assistant for Prof. John Gallagher for an introductory astronomy course
in planetary and solar system astronomy.
Science Olympiad 2002-2003
Coached a group of students during bi-weekly sessions for one academic year
at West High School in Madison. The West High team took Gold in “Reach
for the Stars” at the state level, and 10th place in Nationals.
Grader: University of Wisconsin 2003
Corrected graduate level coursework on astrophysical techniques.
Tutoring: University of Wisconsin 2002-2003
Worked one-on-one with non-science students to facilitate learning.
Cosmos in the Classroom 2004
Attended a meeting at Tufts on educational strategies to improve learning in
astronomy courses.
Science with SALT 2003
Presented at a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa organized to discuss the many
science uses of SALT when it comes online in 2005.
Telescope “Czar” 2004-2005
Responsible for coordinating departmental telescope activities and for training
new students to run public nights at Washburn Observatory and to use the UW’s
16” Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain and 6” refractor.
Galaxies Coffee 2000-2004
Organized meetings on a bi-weekly basis to gather researchers of all levels
working extragalactic astronomy for lively discussions.
Student “Czar” 2003-2004
Student-Faculty liaison. Responsible for attending faculty meetings and mediating
between students and faculty in various issues such as salary negotiations,
distribution of TA positions and student resources. Responsible for office space
allotment, organizing new grad student recruitment events, delegating tasks
and ensuring department “chores” such as staffing the observatory
on public viewing nights are completed.
Orientation Committee / TA Training 2002 to present
Coordinated orientation events for new grad students. Trained new students to
use the planetarium, telescopes, and other equipment for use in discussion sections.
My 2004 presentation also discussed ways to integrate active learning techniques
into discussion sections.
Universe in the Park 2000 to present
Developed and presented over two-dozen educational talks at state parks around
Wisconsin. Also guided public viewing through the program’s 8” Meade
telescope.
Expanding Your Horizons 2004
Volunteered to provide educational activities in astronomy for a group of middle
school girls.
Mars Viewing Event 2003
Coordinated volunteers for Mars Public Viewing event during the 2003 close approach.
Operated the Washburn telescope for over 500 people who visited during the busiest
night.
UW Space Place 2001
Presented an independent lecture in a series emphasizing the development of
the scientific method and its application to astronomy.
Washburn Public Viewing Nights 2000 to present
Directed numerous public viewing nights at the UW Washburn Observatory, which
houses the department’s 16” refractor.
Music, horseback riding, reading, swimming, photography, travel, modern dance
“Tidal Debris in the Starburst Galaxy NGC 3310 I: a New Tidal Loop”
Wehner, E. H. & Gallagher, J. S. 2005, ApJL, 618, L21
“The Submillimeter Properties of Extremely Red Objects''
Wehner, E.H., Barger, A.J., Kneib, J.-P., 2002, ApJ, 577, L83.
“X-ray, Optical, and Infrared Imaging and Spectral Properties of the
1 Ms Chandra Deep Field North Sources''
Barger, A.J., Cowie, L.L., Brandt, W.N., Capak, P., Garmire, G.P., Hornschemeier,
A.E., Steffen, A.T., Wehner, E.H., 2002, AJ, 125, 1839.
“NGC 3310: A New Tidal Loop?”
Wehner, E. H., Gallagher, J. S., Papaderos, P., Fritze-v. Alvensleben, U. 2005,
AAS Abstract
“Tidal Debris in Starburst Galaxies”
Wehner, E. H. & Gallagher, J. S. 2004, AAS Abstract
“Colliding Galaxies: What Their Debris Tells Us”
Wehner, E. H. 2004, Wisconsin Space Grant Conference Proceedings
“An Exploration of Starburst Galaxies: Shells, Stellar Populations
and Kinematics”
Wehner, E. H. 2004, Science with Salt 2004 Conference Proceedings
“Star formation Rate History in the Local Universe”
Wehner, E. H., Gallagher, J. S., Brown, W. R. 2003, AAS Abstract