Giselle Hoermann

Let me tell you a little about myself

About Me

I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Astro-Computer-Science from Umass Amherst in 2024.
I completed my honors thesis "Exploring GPIES Data with Optimized Processing Methods" with Amherst College under Professor Kate Follette.

I conducted research over a span of three years while in college and worked on three separate research projects,
exploring black holes, exoplanets, and seafloor sediment samples.

Research

I started working as an undergraduate researcher in the field of Astronomy under Professor Daniel Wang's guidance in 2022. My research focuses on the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (SgrA*), which is located in the Galactic Center. Our leading research question asks: "Why is it so quiet?". Quiet, or in scientific terms, quiescent black holes take in very little mass. Most supermassive black holes are considered quiescent. Since SgrA* is the closest supermassive black hole, it presents the perfect candidate for answering questions such as our own.

In the past two years, I wrote a bash script that corrects Chandra observations for absolute astrometry using the Sherpa application. I removed background data, such as point sources from SgrA* observations, allowing us to see the data coming directly from SgrA* more clearly. Additionally, I modified the source code of the Ciao command dmradar to give us more accurate binning results.

As a researcher in Professor Follette's lab, I was introduced to the biological side of Astronomy. Working on the project Exoplanets to Microbes, I learned about direct imaging techniques and their post-processing algorithms, as well as fluorescent microscopy and microbes in extreme environment seafloor samples.

One of the greatest skills researching has taught me is problem solving. There were many times when I had to think outside the box and come up with tests to find out what was causing an issue. As a researcher, you also have to be able to explain and defend every single choice you make. I learned to think carefully about my next steps and am now able to use my work time more productively.

Professional Experience

Lee SIP Internship (Summer 2022)

  • - Wrote Unix program that corrects the absolute astrometry in Chandra observations
  • - Presented research at FCAD Summer programm (Five Colleges Astronomy Department)



During this internship I continued my research under professor Daniel Wang. More information about my research can be found under the "Research" section.


Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) Internship (Summer 2023)

  • - Reviewed Astronomy paper for publishing
  • - Analyzed cell images with FIJI
  • - Wrote python algorithm for cell image processing

Technical Skills

  • Python
  • Java
  • Unix/Linux Scripting
  • C
  • Bash
  • Machine Learning
  • Data Visualization
  • Network Protocols
  • Ciao Programming
  • Blender
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Microsoft Office
  • Html/JavaScript/Css
  • GUI
  • MATLAB



Interests

digital photo of a purple-white flower

I spend the majority of my free time by either volunteering or developing my non-professional skills such as baking, playing the piano, golfing, and drawing.

Some of the places I have or am volunteering with include the CASA, the Massachusetts Horticulture Garden, and the Community Table and Food Pantry at my local church. Each of these positions had me connect with people of all kinds of backgrounds and helped deepen my interpersonal skills.

The flower in the photo is a Colorado Blue Columbine. When I saw it at the Horticulture Garden, I felt compelled to capture it. I hope it brightens your day as it did mine.

Social Media