cv

Curriculum vitae. PDF available from the icon to the right.

Basics

Name Daisy Bissonette
Label Ph.D. Candidate in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Email dbissonette@uchicago.edu
Url https://daisybissonette.github.io/
Summary Graduate researcher studying stellar metallicities and dwarf galaxies through spectroscopic analysis to understand early galaxy formation.

Education

  • 2023 - Present

    Chicago, IL

    Ph.D. Candidate
    University of Chicago
    Astronomy & Astrophysics
  • 2019 - 2023

    Princeton, NJ

    A.B. with Honors
    Princeton University
    Astrophysical Sciences

Interests

Scientific Interests
Stellar Spectroscopy
Dwarf Galaxies
Near-Field Cosmology

Projects

  • 2023 - Present
    Metallicity Distribution Function of Segue 1
    Spectroscopic study of the smallest confirmed dwarf galaxy using LRIS to measure metallicity distribution and chemical evolution.
    • LRIS data reduction
    • Gaussian model fitting
    • Stellar metallicities

Publications

  •

Awards

Work

  • 2023 - Present
    Graduate Research Assistant
    University of Chicago
    Advised by Prof. Alexander Ji. Analyzing stellar spectra from LRIS to determine metallicities in the dwarf galaxy Segue 1.
  • 2022 - 2023
    Senior Thesis Researcher
    Princeton University
    Worked with Prof. Jenny Greene on IMF measurements in early-type galaxies using MASSIVE Survey and ALMA data.
  • Summer 2022
    Research Intern (IIP Program)
    Cardiff University
    Advised by Dr. Timothy Davis. Determined star formation efficiencies in galaxies using ALMA CO(1–0) emission data.
  • 2021 - 2022
    Junior Independent Researcher
    Princeton University
    Studied x-ray variability near SgrA* using NICER data with Prof. Murchikova and Prof. Bahcall.
  • Summer 2020
    Research and Development Intern
    NuMED for Children, Inc.
    Contributed to pediatric cardiac stent design development; device received FDA approval in 2021.

Talks

  • May 2024
    First Stars VII Conference
    New York, NY
    Flash Talk
  • July 2022
    Summer Star Formation Meeting
    Cardiff University, UK
    Contributed Talk
  • May 2022
    Junior Paper Research Symposium
    Princeton University, NJ
    Contributed Talk
  • August 2021
    USRP Astrophysics Summer Research Symposium
    Princeton University, NJ
    Contributed Talk

Posters

  • June 2025
    Galactic Frontiers II
    Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
    Poster
  • August 2024
    Small Galaxies, Cosmic Questions II
    Durham, UK
    Poster
  • July 2024
    Dwarf Galaxies, Streams, and Cluster Science
    University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
    Poster
  • January 2023
    241st AAS Meeting
    Seattle, WA
    Poster
  • August 2022
    IIP Research Symposium
    Princeton University, NJ
    Poster
  • January 2022
    Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
    Rutgers University (Virtual)
    Poster

Observing

  • 3 nights
    Keck LRIS
  • 2 nights
    MIKE

Volunteer

  • 2023 - Present
    Community Engagement Working Group, UChicago Astrophysics
    Member
    Organized outreach events including the South Side Science Festival and Astronomy Art Contest. Led DEI workshops and code of conduct initiatives.
  • November 2023
    Chicago Public Library
    Lifelong Learning Talk
    Presented an interactive talk on spectroscopy in astronomy for senior citizens at Blackstone Public Library.
  • 2021 - 2023
    Council on Science and Technology (CST) Student Advisory Board
    Board Member
    Planned outreach events to promote STEM literacy and engagement across Princeton’s campus.
  • 2022 - 2023
    Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP)
    Local Organizing Committee
    Recruited speakers, secured funding, and developed inclusivity training for organizers.
  • 2022 - 2023
    PhET Simulations DEIB Advisory Board
    Advisory Board Member
    Advised on inclusive STEM education frameworks at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Skills

Research & Analysis
Spectroscopy
Metallicity Measurement
Stellar Populations
Observational Astronomy
Data Reduction
Technical Skills
Python
NumPy
Astropy
Matplotlib
Git
LaTeX
Bash
Communication & Teaching
Teaching Assistantship
Science Outreach
Public Speaking

Languages

English
Native speaker
Spanish
Conversational