Advanced Algorithms, Statistics, and Computing for Astrophysics

天体物理学正处于一个令人难以置信的激动人心的时代：尖端的观测实验使研究人员能够努力解决宇宙的基本奥秘，包括暗能量的本质，以及快速射电暴（frb）的起源。创新的仪器正在提供大量的新数据集，但我们迫切需要开发先进的数据分析方法，以从这些观测中提取全部的科学价值。我的研究项目将通过开发创新的计算方法，为天体物理学领域的几个主要的国家和国际科学合作做出重要贡献，在寻找该领域基本谜团的答案方面发挥关键作用。新建成的暗能量光谱仪器DESI将用于建立数千万个星系的三维地图，这比目前可用的地图有了巨大的飞跃。在这些地图中，我们发现了星系聚集方式的微妙变化，使我们能够绘制出宇宙时间内宇宙的大小，并揭示了暗能量的影响。作为这项重大国际合作的一部分，我的研究将开发关键的统计方法，以消除测量偏差和噪声的来源，这些来源可能会稀释我们的微妙信号，以确保最高质量的宇宙学约束。快速射电暴是天体物理学的一个谜。它们在2007年首次被发现，是一种强烈的射电发射闪光，只持续几毫秒；它们的起源目前尚不清楚。加拿大领导的一项新实验，加拿大氢强度测绘实验（CHIME），已经改变了快速射电暴的研究领域：迄今为止，我们已经进行了数百次探测，我们能够绘制出天空中快速射电暴的分布，并开始了解它们的性质。作为CHIME合作项目的一员，我的研究将通过开发用于校准、表征和提高实验效率的计算工具，为这项工作做出关键贡献。这项研究将有助于提高加拿大在天体物理学领域的国际领先地位。虽然我的研究计划是根据每项科学工作的具体要求量身定制的，但我的研究计划中开发的方法不仅适用于天体物理学，还适用于许多需要对大型数据集进行严格统计分析的其他领域。该研究项目还将提供一个令人兴奋的、尖端的培训环境，为参与研究的科学家提供先进的计算、软件开发和分析技能。这些技能具有很强的可转移性，在技术、金融和工业领域都很受欢迎。

Astrophysics is in an incredibly exciting era: cutting edge observational experiments are enabling researchers to grapple with fundamental mysteries of the universe, including the nature of Dark Energy, and the origin of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). Innovative instruments are delivering huge new data sets, but we urgently need to develop advanced data analysis methods to extract the full scientific value from these observations. My research program will make essential contributions to several major national and international scientific collaborations in astrophysics by developing innovative computational approaches, playing a key role in the search for answers to fundamental mysteries in the field. The newly constructed Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, DESI, will be used to build a three-dimensional map of tens of millions of galaxies, a huge leap beyond the currently available maps. In these maps, we detect subtle variations in the way galaxies cluster together, allowing us to chart the size of the universe over cosmic time and revealing the influence of Dark Energy. As part of this major international collaboration, my research will develop crucial statistical approaches to eliminate sources of measurement bias and noise that threaten to dilute our subtle signals, in order to ensure the highest quality cosmological constraints possible. FRBs are an astrophysical mystery. First discovered in 2007, they are intense flashes of radio emission that last for only a few milliseconds; their origins are currently unknown. A new Canadian-led experiment, the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME), has already transformed the FRB research field: With hundreds of detections to date, we are able to map out the FRB distribution on the sky and begin to understand their properties. As a member of the CHIME collaboration, my research will make key contributions to this effort by developing computational tools for calibrating, characterizing, and improving the efficiency of this experiment. This research will contribute to raising Canada's profile as an international leader in astrophysics. Though tailored to the specific requirements of each scientific effort, the methods developed in my research program will be applicable not only to astrophysics, but to many other domains requiring rigorous statistical analysis of large data sets. This research program will also provide an exciting, cutting-edge training environment that will develop advanced computing, software development, and analysis skills in the scientists involved. Such skills are highly transferable, and sought after in technology, finance, and industry.