Deborah Lynn Ferguson
Physics Postdoc
The focus of my research is the development and analysis of numerical relativity simulations, particularly in the context of gravitational wave detections. An important part of that has been assessing the readiness of current numerical relativity codes for the challenges that will come with LISA and third-generation ground-based detectors, both in terms of accuracy and parameter coverage. Most recently, I have also become involved with using numerical relativity to explore beyond GR theories. I conduct this research with Dr. Helvi Witek as a postdoc at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am also a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, the LISA Consortium, the Cosmic Explorer Consortium, and the Einstein Toolkit Community.
The focus of my research is the development and analysis of numerical relativity simulations, particularly in the context of gravitational wave detections. An important part of that has been assessing the readiness of current numerical relativity codes for the challenges that will come with LISA and third-generation ground-based detectors, both in terms of accuracy and parameter coverage. Most recently, I have also become involved with using numerical relativity to explore beyond GR theories. I conduct this research with Dr. Helvi Witek as a postdoc at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am also a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, the LISA Consortium, the Cosmic Explorer Consortium, and the Einstein Toolkit Community.
Education
Ph.D. Physics
Georgia Institute of Technology
Advisor: Deirdre Shoemaker
M.S. Physics
Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. Physics
Minors: Mathematics, Computer Science
University of Kentucky
Academic Positions
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Advisors: Helvi Witek and Roland Haas
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Texas at Austin
Advisor: Deirdre Shoemaker
Leadership Positions
LISA Early Career Scientists
Co-Chair
APS Division of Gravity Executive Committee
Member at Large
Short Author Publications
Accuracy limitations of existing numerical relativity waveforms on the data analysis of current and future ground-based detectors
Aasim Jan, Deborah Ferguson, Jacob Lange, Deirdre Shoemaker, Aaron Zimmerman
SubmittedSecond MAYA Catalog of Binary Black Hole Numerical Relativity Waveforms
Deborah Ferguson, et al.
SubmittedMayawaves: Python Library for Interacting with the Einstein Toolkit and the MAYA Catalog
Deborah Ferguson, et al.
SubmittedCollaboration Publications
Invited Talks
Numerical Relativity for High-Sensitivity Gravitational Wave Observation
D. Ferguson
Seminar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, Illinois
Numerical Relativity for High-Sensitivity Gravitational Wave Observation
D. Ferguson
Seminar at Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
Binary Black Hole Numerical Relativity Codes
D. Ferguson
APS April Meeting
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Optimizing the Placement of Numerical Relativity Simulations using a Mismatch Predicting Neural Network
D. Ferguson
Webinar for the Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes Collaboration
Potsdam, Germany
Numerical Relativity with an Eye Toward Next Generation Gravitational Wave Detectors
D. Ferguson
Seminar at Albert Einstein Institute Potsdam
Potsdam, Germany
Waveforms for Gravitational Wave Astronomy
D. Ferguson
Petnica Summer Institute
Virtual
Gravitational Wave Data Analysis
D. Ferguson
North American Einstein Toolkit Workshop
Virtual
Assessing the Preparedness of Numerical Relativity for Current and Future Gravitational Wave Detectors
D. Ferguson
Seminar at Gravity Group of University of Mississippi
Virtual
Assessing the Preparedness of Numerical Relativity for Current and Future Gravitational Wave Detectors
D. Ferguson
Seminar at Astrophysics/Gravity/Cosmology Group of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Virtual
Conference Presentations
Optimizing Numerical Relativity Placement using Neural Networks
D. Ferguson
14th International LISA Symposium
Virtual
Predicting Match to Optimize Numerical Relativity Template Placement
D. Ferguson
American Physical Society April Meeting
New York City, NY
Impact of Secondary Spin in Black Hole Binaries with Increasing Mass Ratio
D. Ferguson, D. Shoemaker
14th Edoardo Amaldi Conference on Gravitational Waves
Virtual
Impact of Secondary Spin in Black Hole Binaries with Increasing Mass Ratio
D. Ferguson, D. Shoemaker
American Physical Society April Meeting
Virtual
Assessing the Readiness of Numerical Relativity for LISA
D. Ferguson, K. Jani, P. Laguna, D. Shoemaker
13th International LISA Symposium
Virtual
Assessing the Readiness of Numerical Relativity for Future Gravitational Wave Detections
D. Ferguson, K. Jani, D. Shoemaker
American Physical Society April Meeting
Virtual
Assessing the Readiness of Numerical Relativity for Future Gravitational Wave Detections
D. Ferguson, K. Jani, D. Shoemaker
235th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society
Honolulu, HI
Using Machine Learning to Optimize Placement of Numerical Relativity Simulations
D. Ferguson
Machine Learning in Science and Engineering Conference
Atlanta, GA
Numerical Relativity Errors in LISA
D. Ferguson, K. Jani, D. Shoemaker
LISA Waveform Working Group Meeting
Golm, Germany
Revealing the Final Black Hole from Signal at Maximum Amplitude
D. Ferguson, et al.
American Physical Society April Meeting
Columbus, OH
Apparent Horizon Dynamics of Binary Black Hole Systems
D. Ferguson, et al.
Georgia Regional Astronomers Meeting
Athens, GA
Mobile Physics Engine Modeling Two Dimensional Elastic and Inelastic Collisions for the Educational Demonstration of Physics Phenomena
C. Powell, D. Ferguson
National Conference on Undergraduate Research
Lexington, KY
Honors and Awards
Larry S. O'Hara Graduate Student Fellowship
Georgia Institute of Technology
Amelio Award for Research Excellence
Georgia Institute of Technology
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting
Oak Ridge, Lindau Committee
Georgia Tech Institute Fellowship
Georgia Institute of Technology
Outstanding Senior in Physics
University of Kentucky
Summer Research Grant
University of Kentucky
Outstanding Junior in Physics
University of Kentucky
Singletary Scholarship
University of Kentucky
National Merit Finalist
National Merit Scholarship Foundation
Open-Source Software
Mayawaves
Python library for analyzing numerical relativity simulations
https://github.com/MayaWaves/mayawavesMedia
Contact
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Illinois Center for Advanced Studies of the Universe
Loomis Laboratory, Office 255
Urbana, IL 61801
E: dferg [at] illinois.edu