Astrophysics PhD

Research

My research is about active galactic nuclei (AGN): galaxies with a supermassive black hole that launches a relativistic jet. These jets generate radiation across the full spectrum, from radio to very high energy gamma rays.

Inside those jets, shocks accelerate particles and shape the radiation we observe. If you work in aerospace, the closest analogy is shock physics in extreme, high-speed flows — with the extra layer that the flow emits light we can measure. My goal is to connect theory to observations with models that predict light curves and emission maps.

Problem

Explain why gamma-ray AGN brighten and fade across many wavelengths.

Approach

Shock-shock scenario + SR-MHD simulations + radiative transfer.

Outputs

Synthetic light curves and maps compared with VLBI and gamma-ray data.

Thesis summary

The thesis builds a unified model for gamma-ray AGN emission using a shock-shock scenario: a moving shock collides with a quasi-stationary shock in the jet, triggering multi-band flares.

  • Relativistic jets are simulated with SR-MHD (MPI-AMRVAC).
  • Radiation is computed with the RIPTIDE Python pipeline (synchrotron + SSC).
  • Relativistic effects like Doppler beaming and light-crossing are included.
  • Outputs are light curves and flux maps matched to observations.

Software I built or released

Two key software contributions translate physics into usable tools for the community.

  • RIPTIDE: Python radiative-transfer pipeline developed during the thesis to post-process SR-MHD outputs into observable synchrotron and SSC emission.
  • AM3 public release: helped publish the open-source AM3 code to the community. Links below.
AM3 code (GitLab)AM3 documentation

Collaboration & operations

I worked in international collaboration settings, including active membership in the H.E.S.S. consortium. I contributed to day-to-day analysis routines such as the H.E.S.S. round-up process.

  • Cross-team coordination between simulation, theory, and observation.
  • Shared data products and reproducible analysis workflows.
  • Hands-on, continuous analysis operations in a large collaboration.

RES highlight (Barcelona)

The Spanish Supercomputing Network (RES) published a success story about my work on relativistic outflows. The simulations ran on MareNostrum5 at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and explored how jets interact with the interstellar medium and stellar winds.

The complex dance between relativistic outflows and their host galaxies

What translates to industry

  • High-speed flow + shock modeling with measurable outputs.
  • Simulation → post-processing → comparison to data in a reproducible pipeline.
  • Clear assumptions, uncertainty handling, and validation against observations.
  • Python tooling (RIPTIDE) and open-source release experience (AM3).

Thesis and publications

Full thesis and publication lists for deeper technical details.

Read the thesis (PDF)SciXplorer papers listGoogle Scholar

Need the short version?

I turn complex physical systems into reproducible code and measurable outputs, then compare them to real observations. That same loop — model → data → decision — is what I bring to industry work.