My PhD project largely centred around attempting to provide observational evidence for the role of molecular gas in the regulation of star formation in main sequence galaxies. While feedback-driven molecular gas outflows have been observed in galaxies hosting active galactic nuclei (AGN) and extreme star formation, there is little observational evidence of this mechanism in “normal” star-forming galaxies. To address this, I designed an observational programme to target edge-on main sequence galaxies harbouring galactic-scale, extra-planar ionised outflows, which should in theory be the ideal candidates for observing molecular flows entrained by intense stellar wind.
Like many recent studies, I did not observe large-scale outflows of molecular gas and moved my focus to internal gas flows in galaxies. The kinematic signatures of radial molecular gas flows within galaxies have been increasingly observed in literature, chiefly due to the technological advances in radio astronomy in recent years. In my thesis, I proposed a framework for identifying radial molecular gas flows in galaxy surveys, with the motivation of generating statistical relationships between the presence of radial gas flows and global galaxy properties. In the literature, most studies identifying radial gas flows focus on observations in a single galaxy (or a small number). Finding a ubiquitous method for identifying these gas flows for larger surveys is, therefore, an important element in expanding the understanding of how the movement of molecular gas in galaxies drives their evolution.
The three chapters that comprise my thesis have been published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS). Much of the work has also formed part of collaborative projects associated with the SAMI Galaxy Survey and ALMaQUEST (the final scientific chapter being the official fourteenth installment of the ALMaQUEST academic series). You can access all my academic literature through my ORCID profile.
Engagement with the public has always been a significant part during my studies. Engaging with the Orbyts project, which aims to bring academic-level research into schools, was an amazing opportunity to bring research level astrophysics to young people. Outreach within University College London (UCL) also led me to create an “ALMA board game”, which demonstrates how different configurations of ALMA can produce dramatically varied observations. My work was also used as the inspiration for the installation artwork created by Nikki Wang as part of her Arts and Sciences (BASc) degree. I also created my own art influenced by my project, which subsequently became a square in the RAS bicentennial quilt (see picture).
"The analysis ... required Lucy to independently and creatively devise some complex kinematic modelling techinqiues and apply Bayesian statistics methods to identify the presence of gas flows ... Lucy demonstrates that her method allows us to see in a completely new light how the evolution of galaxies can be driven by dynamical processes such as bar instabilities. Both the science results and the methodology developments will undoubtably have a significant impact on the field and enable new kinds of studies.
In addition to her outstanding research, Lucy has used her time as a PhD student to engage in education and public outreach deeply and meaningfully, not just on the topic of Astrophysics, also on climate science and neurodiversity, reaching large audiences across the UCL community, the UK and Europe."
- Prof. Amelie Saintonge
A competitive application process for a nine-week placement at the Kavli Institute for Cosmology, University of Cambridge, under the supervision of Dr. Ricardo Amorin.
A prize awarded for the best presentation of quantitative data in my third year of study at the University of Durham.
A prize awarded to those who have performed particularly well on a final project or in laboratory sessions in my third year of study at the University of Durham.
A prestigious award for conducting outstanding postgraduate research in Astrophysics, awarded for my PhD thesis at University College London (UCL).
Over the past few years, I have led a range of outreach programmes and projects for climate education. These have ranged from hosting "teach-ins" during protests to being invited into universities and schools as a speaker. A key part of my teaching style is visual demonstrations and experiments. I have created a number of these visual teaching demos, some of which are now used at schools to educate students (you can find a collection of my demos here). Most notably, I have conducted these experiments as an "Alternative Exhibition" outside the Science Museum London in response to their temporary exhibition discussing the climate crisis sponsored by the oil giant Shell. I have also been part of a team invited by the Natural History Museum London to create climate education activities for their visitors on multiple occasions.
My work as a member of Scientists for Extinction Rebellion (S4XR) has focussed on the importance of direct communication from scientists to the public and how trusted communicators are vital when conveying the urgency of the climate crisis.
If you wish to book me as a speaker for your school, organisation or community, please use my form here. Previously, I have delivered talks ranging from the science behind the climate crisis to topics centred more on the role of scientists in communicating the emergency. I also have experience speaking to range of ages and levels of climate education.
"... Vast cosmic simulations have demonstrated the degree to which parameters and constants have to be fine-tuned to produce the cosmic ecosystem we observe in our Universe. As scientists, we know that tiny changes in the parameter spaces of these complex simulations can have dramatic consequences as they evolve. Our planet is in a balance that is just as delicate and equally as tenuous."
- PhD thesis epilogue