I work in the area of experimental cosmology and radio astronomy, designing, building and using novel radio/mm telescopes to answer fundamental questions in cosmology and astrophysics, in particular focussing on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and structure formation in the Universe.
My research requires the development of techniques in very high-sensitivity radio measurements, across the whole range of techniques in radio astronomy, including the design of antennas, cryogenic receivers, broadband signal-processing both analogue and digital and processing and analysis of the output data. Many of these applications are directly applicable to deep-space and satellite communications and I collaborate and provide consultancy for leading players in the space industry.
My research interests include:
- Development of new cm/radio-instrumentation - e.g. C-BASS, Square Kilometer Array (SKA)
- Polarized foregrounds for CMB - e.g. C-BASS, ELFS, RadioForegrounds+
- CMB instrumentation and observations - Simons Observatory
- Commercial applications of radio astronomy technology and techniques
- International Development and Technology Transfer via Radio Astronomy
I am currently the PI for the C-BASS experiment and lead the development of the high-frequency (Bands 3,4,5) receivers for the SKA mid-frequency dish array. I have led two projects funded by STFC and the Newton fund for Official Development Assistance, to collaborate in the area of technology transfer with partners in Mexico. This work included the conversion of an ex-communications antenna at Tulancingo, Mexico for use in radio astronomy, and the development of a digital spectrometer for the Large Millimeter Telescope, Mexico. I have previously been Oxford lead for the project Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) which provides training for students in Africa.
Until January 2013, I held a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship and before that a PPARC postdoctoral fellowship and a Royal Society Relocation Fellowship.