UA Seal Gregory R. Sivakoff Centaurus A
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics

Curriculum Vitae

As of December 31, 2011

 

Gregory R. Sivakoff
Assistant Professor, University of Alberta Department of Physics
CCIS 4-183
Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1
Phone: (780) 492-7992 Fax: (780) 492-0714 E-mail: sivakoff@ualberta.ca

EDUCATION:

    UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Charlottesville, VA  
    Astronomy M.Sc. (2003), Ph.D. (2006) Aug. 2001 - Aug. 2006
 
    UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER, Manchester, UK  
    Radio Astronomy M.Sc. Sep. 2000 - Nov. 2001
 
    BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY, Waltham, MA  
    Physics B.Sc., Mathematics B.A. Sep. 1996 - May 2000

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS:

    Outstanding Postdoc (UVa) 2009
    DuPont Fellow (UVa) Aug. 2005 - Aug. 2006
    Raven Society (UVa) 2005
    Virginia Space Grant Consortium Aerospace Graduate Fellow Aug. 2004 - Aug. 2006
    Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Fellow Aug. 2003 - Aug. 2005
    Presidents Fellow (UVa) Aug. 2001 - Aug. 2004
    Fulbright Scholar (US/UK) Sep. 2000 - Aug. 2001
    Barry M. Goldwater Scholar Sep. 1999 - May 2000
    Schiff Fellow (Brandeis) Sep. 1999 - May 2000
    University Scholar (Brandeis) 1998
    Physics Faculty Prize (Brandeis) 2000
    Stephen Berko Memorial Prize in Physics (Brandeis) 2000
    Phi Beta Kappa (Junior) 1999
    J. V. Cunningham Writing Award in Science (Brandeis) 1999
    Justice Brandeis Scholar Sep. 1996 - May 2000
    Robert C. Byrd Scholar 1996
    National Merit Scholar 1996
    Eagle Scout 1994

MISCELLANEOUS:

    Have 33 papers in refereed journals (7 as the first author, 14 as the second/third author).
    Publications cited about 689 times through 12/31/11 (about 172 times in 2011).
    H-indices 14/10/7 (Any Author/First-Third Author/First Author)

ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH:

    Research Associate Mar. 2011 - present
   
  • Galactic Compact Objects: Multi-wavelength studies of transient X-ray binaries, X-ray sources in Galactic globular clusters, and Gamma-ray detected pulsars.
  • X-ray Content of Early-Type Galaxies: Concentrating on the origin of low-mass X-ray
  • Quasar Properties: Comparing properties (e.g., masses, Eddington ratios) for various subsamples in the SDSS quasar catalogs.
    Research Associate Sep. 2008 - Mar. 2011
   
  • X-ray Content of Early-Type Galaxies: Concentrating on the origin of low-mass X-ray binaries, their variability, and connection to globular clusters.
  • Galactic Compact Objects: Multi-wavelength studies of transient X-ray binaries, X-ray sources in Galactic globular clusters, and Gamma-ray detected pulsars.
  • AGN in Galaxy Clusters: Characterizing AGN content with Chandra X-ray and MDM optical observations.
  • Quasar Properties: Comparing properties (e.g., masses, Eddington ratios) for various subsamples in the SDSS quasar catalogs.
    Postdoctoral Researcher Sep. 2006 - Sep. 2008
   
  • AGN in Galaxy Clusters: Characterizing AGN content with Chandra observations.
  • X-ray Content of Early-Type Galaxies: Concentrating on the origin of low-mass X-ray binaries, their variability, and connection to globular clusters.
  • Broad Absorption Line Quasars: Multiple wavelength comparison of broad absorption line detection using SDSS and 2MASS.
    Fellowship Supported Graduate Student Aug. 2001 - Aug. 2006
   
  • Chandra Observations of Early-Type Galaxies: Examined the point source population, predominantly low mass X-ray binaries, and diffuse gas, concentrating on luminosity functions, spectral properties, variability, and spatial profiles. Compared low mass X-ray binary and globular cluster populations.
  • Galaxy Distribution in 2MASS: Examined gravitational quasi-equilibrium distribution and distribution near X-ray selected clusters.
    Fulbright Scholar Sep. 2000 - Aug. 2001
   
  • VLA & MERLIN Observations of the Quasar 0800+608: Examined unpolarized morphology, spectral behavior, fractional polarization, Faraday rotation, and 3-D hydrodynamic simulations to study atypical morphology.
    NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Intern Jun. 1999 - Aug. 1999
   
  • Very Long Baseline Array Observation of R Cassiopeia: Calibrated, imaged, and analyzed first 3mm observation of this star.
    Research Assistant Jan. 1998 - May 2000
   
  • Relativistic AGN Jets: Analysis of dual frequency polarization VLBA observations of 12 AGN. Developed C++ computer simulation of Blandford-Königl model for inhomogeneous relativistic jets.

GRANTS & ALLOCATED OBSERVING TIME:

    CO-I TBD
    ``A candidate ``intermediate-mass'' black hole in the dwarf starburst galaxy He 2-10'' Funds not yet allocated
    NASA-GSFC, XMM-Newton Cycle 5: 28,000 seconds (A) on XMM  
 
    CO-I $40,000
    ``BAT Triggered Target of Opportunity Observations with Swift'' TBD
    NASA, Swift Cycle 7: 150,000 seconds on Swift  
 
    CO-I TBD
    ``Following a black hole candidate X-ray transient to quiescence'' Funds not yet allocated
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 12: 187,000 seconds on Chandra  
 
    CO-I TBD
    ``A Deep Chandra Study of NGC 4472 - Gas Dynamics in the Nearest Group-Cluster Merger'' Funds not yet allocated
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 12: 300,000 seconds on Chandra  
 
    CO-I TBD
    ``An X-ray/Radio Test for an Intermediate-Mass Black Hole in M31's G1 Cluster'' Funds not yet allocated
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 12: 35,000 seconds on Chandra; 9.75 hours on EVLA  
 
    CO-I $0
    ``Insights into Jet Emission Mechanism from Multi-Wavelength Observations of LMXBs'' Jan. 2011 - Sep 2011
    NASA, RXTE Cycle 15: 600,000 seconds on RXTE  
 
    CO-I $0
    ``RXTE Observations of Globular Cluster X-ray Transients'' Jan. 2011 - Sep 2011
    NASA, RXTE Cycle 15: 240,000 seconds on RXTE  
 
    CO-I $0
    ``Catching Aql X-1 Spectral Transitions with RXTE observations'' Jan. 2011 - Sep 2011
    NASA, RXTE Cycle 15: 150,000 seconds on RXTE  
 
    SCIENCE PI $0
    ``The Ultimate VLBA Calibrator Search for Galactic Black Hole X-ray Binaries'' Sep. 2010 - Sep 2011
    NRAO, 2010C: 24 hours on VLBA  
 
    CO-I $0
    ``Constraining black hole formation with triggered VLBA astrometry'' Sep. 2010 - Sep 2011
    NRAO, 2010B: 48 hours on VLBA  
 
    CO-I $0
    ``Astrometry of Aql X-1 and the luminosity of Type I X-ray bursts'' Jun. 2010 - May 2015
    NRAO, 2010B: 112 hours on VLBA  
 
    CO-I $0
    ``Probing Jet Acceleration and Collimation in Stellar-Mass Compact Objects'' Jun. 2010 - Dec. 2011
    NRAO, 2010B: 168 hours on VLBA; 55 hours on VLA  
 
    PI $0
    ``Near-Infrared Monitoring of the April 2010 Outburst of SS Cygni'' Apr. 2010
    PAIRITEL 30 daily epochs, each 5 minutes  
 
    SCIENCE PI $34,700
    ``Addressing the Science Education of Elementary School Students in Rural Albemarle County'' Apr. 2010 - Apr. 2012
    NASA, Chandra E/PO Cycle 11: E/PO  
 
    SCIENCE PI $13,775
    ``Addressing the Nature of Science Through a Telescope Loaner Program for Teachers'' Apr. 2010 - Apr. 2012
    NASA, Chandra E/PO Cycle 11: E/PO  
 
    PI $0
    ``Near-Infrared Monitoring of the November 2009 Outburst of Aquila X-1'' Nov. 2009
    PAIRITEL 20 daily epochs, each 15 minutes  
 
    SCIENCE PI $55,248
    ``Binary Formation in the Sparse Galactic Globular Cluster NGC 3201'' Funds not yet allocated
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 11: TBD: 85,000 seconds on Chandra; 1 hour on Green Bank Telescope; 1 orbit on Hubble  
 
    SCIENCE PI $34,610
    ``Constraining the Distance & Temperature of LAT PSR J1742-20, The Newly Discovered Nearby Middle-Aged Neutron Star'' Funds not yet allocated
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 11: TBD: 50,000 seconds on Chandra  
 
    CO-I $0
    ``Probing Jet Acceleration and Collimation in Stellar-Mass Compact Objects'' Jun. 2009 - Dec. 2010
    NRAO, 2009A: 274 hours on VLBA; 65.5 hours on VLA  
 
    PI $0
    ``Spectroscopic Confirmation of Galaxy Cluster Candidate Behind Virgo'' Apr. 2009 - Jun. 2009
    APO, 2009-Q2: Two half-nights on Apache Point Observatory 3.5m  
 
    CO-I $39,936
    ``Probing the Galaxy-wide Globular Cluster - Low Mass X-ray Binary Connection in Early-type Galaxies'' Feb. 2010 - Feb. 2012
    NASA, Hubble Cycle 17: HST-GO-11679: 6 orbits on Hubble  
 
    CO-I $70,000
    ``The Distribution of AGN in Clusters of Galaxies'' Oct. 2007 - Oct. 2009
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 9: Archive  
 
    CO-I $49,981
    ``Development of a Model Teacher/Student Workshop Program for Ohio Middle Schools'' Jan. 2007 - Jan. 2009
    NASA, Chandra E/PO Cycle 8: E/PO  
 
    SCIENCE PI $73,444
    ``Deep Chandra and Hubble Observations of NGC 1023: Testing the Origin of Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries in a Lenticular Galaxy'' Apr. 2007 - Apr. 2009
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 8: 192,000 seconds on Chandra; 8 orbits on Hubble (8 lost due to ACS failure)  
 
    CO-I $220,000
    ``Jets, Bubbles, Binaries, and Hot Gas: A Deep Observation of Centaurus A'' Mar. 2007 - Mar. 2009
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 8: 600,000 seconds on Chandra  
 
    SCIENCE PI $39,957
    ``Probing The Globular Cluster / Low Mass X-ray Binary Connection in Early-type Galaxies At Low X-ray Luminosities'' Jan. 2007 - Jan. 2009
    NASA, Hubble Cycle 15: HST-GO-10835: 10 orbits on Hubble (6 lost due to ACS failure)  
 
    CO-I $64,366
    ``Understanding Gas Interactions in Groups: NGC 1600'' Aug. 2006 - Aug. 2007
    NASA-GSFC, XMM-Newton Cycle 5: NNX06AE78G: 85,300 seconds (B) on XMM  
 
    SCIENCE PI $47,946
    ``Probing the Galaxy-wide Globular Cluster - Low Mass X-ray Binary Connection in Early-type Galaxies'' Dec. 2005 - Dec. 2007
    NASA, Hubble Cycle 14: HST-GO-10582: 12 orbits on Hubble  
 
    CO-I $10,292
    ``Resolving the Connection Between Globular Clusters and Low-Mass X-ray Binaries'' Nov. 2005 - Nov. 2007
    NASA, Hubble Cycle 14: HST-GO-10597: 9 orbits on Hubble  
 
    SCIENCE PI $25,896
    ``Stellar Evolution Planetarium Show at the Science Museum of Virginia'' Jan. 2005 - Aug. 2006
    NASA, Chandra E/PO Cycle 6: E/PO GO5-6086X  
 
    SCIENCE PI $71,179
    ``Low Mass X-ray Binaries and Globular Clusters in the Early-Type Galaxy NGC 4365'' Jan. 2005 - Aug. 2006
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 6: GO5-6086X: 160,000 seconds on Chandra  
    SCIENCE PI $30,520
    ``Using the Chandra Archive To Study Low Mass X-ray Binaries and Globular Clusters in Virgo and Non-Virgo Early-Type Galaxies'' Jan. 2004 - Jan. 2005
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 5: AR4-5008X  
 
    OBSERVING CO-I $74,399
    ``Deep Chandra and Hubble Observations NGC 4697, the Nearest Optically Luminous, X-ray Faint Elliptical Galaxy'' Jan. 2004 - Jan. 2005
    NASA, Chandra Cycle 5: GO4-5093X: 160,000 on Chandra  
 
    OBSERVING CO-I $8,959
    ``Deep Chandra and Hubble Observations NGC 4697, the Nearest Optically Luminous, X-ray Faint Elliptical Galaxy'' Feb. 2004 - Jan. 2006
    NASA, Hubble Cycle 12: HST-GO-10003: 1 orbit on Hubble  

TEACHING:

   
  • Prepared & presented lecture on Supernova Blast Waves for graduate astronomy class.
    Substitute Lecturer Apr. 2010
   
  • Prepared & presented lectures on Solar System Origin and Exoplanets for introductory astronomy class.
    Theses Co-advisor Jan. 2009 - May 2009
   
  • Co-advised (with Craig Sarazin) two senior theses on X-ray Binarys in Lenticular Galaxies.
    Invited Lecturer Apr. 2009
   
  • Prepared & presented lecture on X-ray Binary research and astronomical careers for undergraduate major's seminar.
    Substitute Lecturer Oct. 2008
   
  • Prepared & presented lecture on Supernova Blast Waves for graduate astronomy class.
    Substitute Lecturer Apr. 2006
   
  • Prepared & presented lecture on Sun for introductory astronomy class.
    Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Astronomy Jan. 2000 - May 2000
   
  • Led observatory sessions: Telescope lectures, naked eye observing, & telescope (manual pointing 24" Cassegrain reflector) observing.
  • Reviewed class material with students during office hours.
  • Webmaster: Updated old site, added math tutorials, & moderated bulletin board.
    Physics Peer Tutor Oct. 1998 - May 1999
   
  • Tutored introductory physics students in Mechanics & Electromagnetism.

RECENT ORAL PRESENTATIONS:

    2010
   
  • Lunch Talk, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
  • Physics Colloquium, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
  • Contributed Talk, High Energy View of Accreting Objects: AGN and X-ray Binaries: Agios Nikolaos, Greece
  • Contributed Talk, Accretion Processes in X-Rays: From White Dwarfs to Quasars, Cambridge, MA
  • Contributed Talk, High Energy Astrophysics Division of AAS Meeting, Waikoloa, HI
  • Physics Colloquium, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
  • Contributed Talk, The Wide Field X-ray Telescope Team Meeting, Baltimore, MD
    2009
   
  • Lunch Talk, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
  • Cosmology Seminar, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany
  • Public Talk for Public-Night, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
  • Contributed Talk, The Many Faces of Centaurus A, Sydney, Australia
    2008
   
  • Public Talk for Osher Lifetime Learning Institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
  • Physics & Astronomy Colloquium, University of Louisville,Louisville, KY
  • Press Release, The Black Hole Briefing at the 211th AAS meeting, Aust in, TX
    2007
   
  • A Population Explosion: The Nature & Evolution of X-ray Binaries in Diverse Environments, St. Pete Beach, FL
  • Eight Years of Science with Chandra, Huntsville, AL
  • Lunch Talk, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville, VA
  • Physics & Astronomy Seminar, Denison University, Granville, OH
  • Astrophysics Seminar, Ohio University, Athens, OH
  • HEAD Lunch Talk, Harvard Center For Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA
  • Lunch Talk, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Lunch Talk, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics Seminar, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
  • Galaxies Lunch Talk, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
    2006
   
  • Astronomy Colloquium, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
  • PhD Defense, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
  • Virginia Space Grant Consortium Student Research Conference, Newport News, VA
  • AAS 207, Dissertation Talk, Washington, DC
  • UVa Research Symposium, Charlottesville, VA

COMMITTEES:

    UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT 2004 - 2006
    Member, Colloquium Committee
 
    UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT 2004 - 2005
    Member, Computer Users Committee
 
    UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 2003 - 2004
    Member, Graduate Student Council
 
    UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT 2002 - 2004
    Member, Public Outreach Committee

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES:

    UVa Public Outreach Committee (2002 - 2004)
    Telescope Operator for UVa McCormick Observatory Public Nights
    Tour Guide for UVa Fan Mountain Observatory Public Nights
    Support for UVa Public Outreach Special Events: Transit of Venus, Mars Mania, & Leonid Meteor Showers
    Online Participant in UVa Astronomy Astronomy Question & Answers Outreach Program
    Developed and led inquiry-based activities on the Sun for 1st graders at UVa McCormick Observatory
    Developed and led inquiry-based activities on telescopes for 6th graders at Walton Middle School, Charlottesville, VA
    Led inquiry-based activities on comets and star-charts for children at KidVentions 2006, Charlottesville, VA
    Involved with development of exhibits for UVa McCormick Observatory, exhibits for traveling show for the Science Museum of Virginia, and planetarium shows for the Science Museum of Virginia
    Primary investigator of a NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory Education/Public Outreach grant with Science Museum of Virginia
    Co-investigator of a NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory Education/Public Outreach grant with COSI Science Museum
    Faculty Presentor for UVa McCormick Observatory Public Nights
    Volunteer for Dark Skies, Bright Kids, an after-school astronomy club for 8-10 year olds in rural Albemarle County, VA
    Primary investigator of a NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory Education/Public Outreach grant with Dark Skies, Bright Kids
    Primary investigator of a NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory Education/Public Outreach grant with the Chandra: Loaning UVa's Telescopes to Educators Program

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

    Referee for Astrophysical Journal & Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
    Peer reviewer for NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory Time-Allocation Committee
    Peer reviewer for ICREA, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies
    Peer reviewer for Canada France Hawaii Telescope

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

    American Astronomical Society
    Canadian Astronomical Society
    High Energy Astrophysics Division of AAS

 

As of December 31, 2011

Contact G. Sivakoff Last Updated: September 1, 2010
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