AUS physics student researches galaxy clusters during University of Cincinnati internship

What can we learn from clusters of galaxies and what do they tell us? This is a question American University of Sharjah (AUS) student Aleena Ebey aimed to answer in her recent undergraduate research, developed during a six-week internship at the University of Cincinnati (UC), USA.

“Galaxy clusters are huge systems comprising thousands of galaxies clumped together within relatively short distances from each other, as well as plasma and an invisible form of matter that cannot be detected called Dark Matter. In these clusters, galaxies make up a small percentage of the total mass of clusters, while dark matter and plasma make up the majority of the mass. My research project, ‘Spectral Analyses of Galaxies in Galaxy Clusters,’ aims to calculate the radial velocities of galaxies that are part of a cluster to infer how fast and far galaxies are moving away from us. This data helps astronomers get a better understanding of the universe and piece together a better picture of how the universe evolved,” said the physics major, who is currently in her final year. 

The aspiring astrophysicist started working on her research with Dr. Randa Asa’d, Associate Professor in Physics at AUS, as a research assistant. Her work received a boost when she received the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Undergraduate Research Grant to travel to UC for a research internship.

“One of my major goals during my undergraduate education was to find a research internship that focuses on astrophysics and allows me to build my research experience. I had been working with Dr. Asa’d for over a semester when I learned that CAS was offering an opportunity to apply for an undergraduate research grant. Dr. Asa’d encouraged and helped me to apply in order to get the opportunity to work directly with her research collaborator, Dr. Matthew Bayliss at UC. To my delight, I was awarded the grant, which allowed me to travel to the USA to work in person at UC for six weeks during the summer with Dr. Bayliss and his team,” she said.

A key skill that Ebey learned during her UC experience was how to use IRAF, a complex computer program and tool used by astronomers to calculate radial velocities, troubleshoot calculation problems and cross-check results.

Working in her dedicated office space at UC, Ebey collaborated with other students and Dr. Bayliss. She also participated in weekly team meetings with graduate students and postdoctoral students to discuss research progress, concerns and brainstorm. Ebey said the highlight of her experience was being able to attend the Sloan Giant Arcs Survey (SGAS) Conference, organized by her UC supervisor. The three-day event was attended by professors, post-doctoral researchers, and other students from several universities who discussed and presented their research projects. This allowed Ebey to network with experts and ask questions about topics she was newly introduced to.

“Overall, this collaborative research project, while a never-ending quest to keep learning and discovering new aspects of research be it in the actual physical science of looking at stellar spectra or just the programming/computational challenges, has been challenging and incredibly fulfilling. I thoroughly enjoyed the step-by-step process of research, which can be slow at times, but very rewarding. Of course, chipping away at each obstacle in the research process would be extremely tiring work had it not been for the constant encouragement and support from my mentors who helped me realize that it is all right not to always succeed because that’s also part of the learning process,” she said.

Ebey added: “My experience of traveling to and working at UC is unforgettable and taught me important lessons about pushing my limits and how collaborative research processes work. I’ve also learned quite a few real-life skills, like how to set budgets (since they fall under the grant), temporarily moving to a new place where I know little to no people, learning how to network and connect with people who share similar goals and so much more.”

Ebey noted that AUS’ focus on providing its students with opportunities to thrive, such as the CAS Undergraduate Research Grant is a testimony to the importance the university places on empowering its students and preparing them for the future. 

“For a well-rounded education, studying in classrooms is not enough. Students need to be able to really experience and apply what they learn in real life. AUS’ opportunities give students an edge, especially when it comes to international collaborations with other universities and institutions.

“Being able to complete an international collaborative internship was an opportunity of immeasurable value to me that would have been unlikely had it not been for the opportunity presented by the Department of Physics as well as the CAS Undergraduate Research Grant. It has given my research career a boost and allowed me to work with and learn from experts in the field of astronomy, opening doors for future research collaborations as well as for graduate school opportunities,” she said.

Ebey plans to continue the collaborative research as part of her senior research project and push the limits of the data she is working with to study the connection between dark matter and galaxy clusters, eventually publishing the results. She also plans to continue her study of galaxy clusters during her graduate studies.

“I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to my AUS mentor Dr. Asa’d, my site supervisor Dr. Bayliss at UC, and the Department of Physics and to God, for the support and opportunities they have given me in order to ensure I receive a well-rounded educational experience at AUS,” she said.

The Bachelor of Science in Physics offered at AUS prepares students to think rigorously and conduct meaningful and cutting-edge research, preparing them for fulfilling careers in academia, and the public and private sectors.

For more information about the Department of Physics and what it has to offer, please visit www.aus.edu/cas/bsphy.