Hi, I'm Brad!
How do galaxies form? What processes impact their evolution? What role do supernovae play in galaxy evolution?
How is gas moving in and around galaxies? What effects does its motion have on galaxies? How do stars alter the gas and its motion?
These are just some of the questions I am interested in investigating throughout my career.
Currently, I am a graduate researcher at Arizona State University pursuing my Ph.D. in Astrophysics working with Dr. Sanchayeeta Borthakur.
I graduated from the University of Washington in 2021with my B.S. in Astronomy and Physics (with honors).
I love the challenges that research provides.
My undergraduate career began at Washington State University in 2012 after graduating high school.
I wanted to study political science and law, but quickly realized this wasn't the path for me.
After working at a few restaurants, I ended up at a local bank.
This experience led me to Cascadia College where I began to study finance and accounting.
I began to lose interest in the subject, though, after taking classes for about a year.
It was at this point that I took a hybrid class combining Astronomy 101 with Philosophy 115, a critical thinking course.
I immediately fell in love with the field.
Before the quarter was over, I had switched my focus and was all in on astronomy.
Outside of Academia
In my personal life, I'm a parent to a cat and dog, Toulouse and Annie. Even in Arizona I watch and follow Seattle sports teams. Most Wednesdays, you can find me at trivia night with my ASU SESE cohort.
Past & Present Advisors
Research
As an undergraduate at the University of Washington, my research mostly involved investigated
stellar populations near supernova remnants and supernovae historically observed.
By looking at the stars near the site of supernovae, I was able to measure the local star formation history.
This allows me to infer the likely age and mass of the star that produced the supernova.
I looked at 225 remnants, 10 historically observed supernovae, and the first black hold formation candidate in the galaxy NGC 6946 (the Fireworks galaxy).
In addition, I performed a similar analysis on 85 remnants in the near by galaxy M33 (the Triangulum Galaxy) using the deep optical photometry of the PHATTER survey.
I was fortunate enough to work with fellow UW undergrad Jared Johnson as he led a project identifying red supergiants in NGC 6946.
This work was been advised by Dr. Ben Williams.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked with Dr. Paula Szkody and UW undergraduate Claire Olde Loohuis to identify and
characterize Cataclysmic Variable star systems with the Zwicky Transient Survey.
For this, I looked at light curves to determine the type and number of outbursts the system undergoes as well as measure the strengths of these outbursts.
Publications
Koplitz et al. 2023. "The Masses of Supernova Remnant Progenitors in M33". The Astrophysical Journal.
ADS
Johnson, Koplitz et al. 2023. "A Multiwavelength Classification and Study of Red Supergiant Candidates in NGC 6946". The Astrophysical Journal.
ADS
Koplitz et al. 2021. “The Masses of Supernova Remnant Progenitors in NGC 6946”. The Astrophysical Journal.
ADS
Szkody, Olde Loohuis, Koplitz et al. 2021. “Cataclysmic Variables in the Second Year of the Zwicky Transient Facility”. The Astronomical Journal.
ADS
Academic Achievements
Presenting Work
UW's Undergraduate Research Symposium. Lightning Talk. 2021. "The Masses of Supernova Remnant Progenitors in NGC 6946".
Research
My Ph.D. thesis consists of kinematically investigating the gas in the Circumgalactic Medium (CGM).
To do this, I use Hubble FUV spectrum of quasars to determine the abundances, kinematics, and ionization states of the gas.
This work is being done as part of the Deciphering the Interplay Between the Interstellar Medium, Stars, & Circumgalactic Medium (DIISC) survey.
In addition, I identify supernova remnants in nearby galaxies using narrow band images taken at the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) in Safford, AZ.
This work is being advised by Dr. Sanch Borthakur in ASU's School of Earth & Space Exporation (SESE).
My secondary project is generating mock absorption lines through MAIHEM simulations.
These lines allow me to determine how the different CGM phases are mixed and see how that compares to the physics that are put into the simulations.
This project has allowed me to work with former SESE graduate student Dr. Edward Buie II.
This work using the MAIHEM simulations and is advised by Dr. Evan Scannapieco in SESE at ASU.
Accepted Proposals
VATT 2023A. PID: S102. PI: B. Koplitz. "A Delayed Hunt for Supernova Remnants in Nearby HI-rich Galaxies".
VATT 2022A. PID: S117. PI: B. Koplitz. "Hunting for Supernova Remnants in Nearby HI-rich Galaxies".
HST Cycle 30 GO. PID: 17093. PI: S. Borthakur. "A Systematic Search for Wind-CGM Interactions in Star-forming Galaxies".
VLA 23A. PID: 162. PI: S. Borthakur. "Completing the Radio Continuum Survey of the Low-z Lyman Continuum Leakers".
Teaching & Mentorship
AST 112 (Spring 2022) - Lab Lead (3 Sections)
AST 111 (Fall 2022) - Lab Lead (1 Section)
AST 422 (Fall 2023) - TA (1 Section)
Elyse Duley - Vassar College Undergraduate (Summer 2023 - Present)
Rudra Shah - ASU Undergraduate (Fall 2023 - Present)
Chloe Haramis - ASU Undergrauate (Fall 2023 - Present)
Awards
ASU's Graduate College Travel Award (Fall 2023)
ASU's Graduate College University Grant (2023 - 2024)
Presenting Work
Lightning Talk - School of Earth & Space Exploration’s Internal Symposium. Aug 2022. Tempe, AZ. "How Do Exploding Stars Impact the Gas Associated with Galaxies?".
Talk / Poster - Oasis in the Desert. Feb 2023. Tempe, AZ. "COS–DIISC: A Kinematic Study of the UV Metal Absorption Features in the CGM of Galaxies".
Galactic Atmospheres. Feb 2023. "Absorption-Line Kinematics in DIISC Galaxies". Link
Talk / Poster - Science with the Habitable Worlds Observatory & Beyond. July 2023. Baltimore, MD. "What is Driving the Ionization State of the Intergalactic Medium?".
Lightning Talk - School of Earth & Space Exploration’s Internal Symposium. Aug 2023. Tempe, AZ. “What Processes are Driving the Ionization State of the Intergalactic Medium?”.
Contributing Talk - Metal Production and Distribution in a Hierarchical Universe II. Nov 2023. Santiago, Chile. "Metals in the Circumgalactic Medium of DIISC Galaxies".
I Wouldn't Be Here Without...
My family and friends for their love and support. I would not have had the drive or the ability to go back to school without them, especially my dad.
Dr. Ben Williams for giving my first research position. He has had a large influence on how I conduct and view science.
He has allowed me to lead projects from the beginning which are resulting in published papers.
I would not have been prepared for the demands of obtaining a Ph.D. in Astrophysics without his guidance and scientific training.
Dr. Jessica Werk for the absurd amount of advice during my time at UW.
I would not have made it through the graduate school application process without her suggestions.
While I was not lucky enough to conduct research with Dr. Werk, her guidance has been instrumental in making me the scientist I am today.
Dr. Sanchayeeta Borthakur for taking a chance on me when looking at applications for ASU's Ph.D. program.
She has allowed me to take on many different types of projects as a young graduate student, which has broaden my horizons and expanded my research portfolio.
Tyler McCabe, Mansi Padave, and Dr. Edward Buie II for their help and support, both in and out of academia.
Land Acknowledgement
I acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional and unceded homelands of Indigenous people, including the Duwamish (Seattle), Stillaguamish (Lynnwood), and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Native American Communities, and I respect their right to maintain their community and culture.