About Me
Education:
Ph.D. Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Toronto (expected 2027);
B.Sc. Physics (Honours), Brock University (2022);
B.Sc. Mathematics (Honours) with minor in Physics, Brock University (2019);
B.Ed. Intermediate/Senior qualifications, Brock University (2019)
Research Interests:
Theoretical astrophysics, plasma astrophysics, relativity, galaxy evolution, Milky Way analogues
Personal Interests:
Reading, music, baking, my crazy cat Charlotte
Research
Image Credit: EAGLE Simulations
CO Emission in FIRE-2
Advisors: Prof. Norm Murray
PhD Mini Project, May 2023 - August 2023, University of Toronto
- Using CO as a tracer for H2 in GMCs in FIRE-2
- Running post-processing code to calculate CO emission on high-resolution snapshot
- Analyzing the results in comparison with observed data
Constraining Modified Gravity Theories with Milky Way Dynamics
Advisors: Prof. Jo Bovy
PhD Mini Project, September 2022 - April 2023, University of Toronto
- Using real Milky Way data to constrain existing MOND theories for realistic environments
- Implementing modified potentials in galpy to make predictions for new MOND models
- Analyzing the results in comparison with pure CDM models
Characterizing Analogues of the Milky Way in Cosmological Simulations
Advisors: Dr. Ted Mackereth & Prof. Josh Speagle
Summer Undergraduate Research Program/Research Assistantship, Summer 2021 - Summer 2022, University of Toronto
- Used Python and data from the EAGLE suite of cosmological simulations and Illustris TNG100 to identify and analyze Milky Way Analogues (MWAs)
- Determined a "Milky Way-ness" parameter and studied its effect on various properties of the MWAs both at present-day and throughout their formation histories
- Midterm and final presentations, academic poster, and research summary delivered to Faculty and interested public
- Associated paper: SF-R you sure? The Conflicting Role of SFR in Constraining the Evolution of Milky Way analogues in cosmological simulations, in prep.
Poster, Research Summary
Exploring the Possibility of Faster-Than-Light Travel in Our Universe
Advisor: Prof. Barak Shoshany
Undergraduate thesis, October 2020 - February 2022, Brock University
- Using Mathematica and General Relativity to investigate the possibility of Faster-than-Light travel
- Extending the Alcubierre warp drive metric to 5 spacetime dimensions
- Proposal, midterm, and final presentations to Faculty and interested public along with written thesis submission
- Associated paper: Warp Drives in 5 Dimensions, in prep.
Contact
Email: alicia.savelli@mail.utoronto.ca