Research Interests
X-ray emissionmassive starshot starsyoung starsstar formationmagnetic fieldsnumerical simulations
Opportunities
Work Study Positions Available: Yes
For students who are eligible for Federal Work Study, research students are paid up to $15 per hour during the summer, fall and/or spring to work on one of several on-going research projects. Many of the projects are computer-based. Some prior experience with data analysis and computer programming is preferred, but not essential. Strong problem-solving skills are an asset. Alternatively, work study positions developing and delivering content for the WCU Planetarium are available.
Grant Funded Positions Available: Yes
For select research projects, students can earn up to $15 per hour during the summer, fall and/or spring. The projects are computer-based. Some prior experience with data analysis and computer programming is preferred, but not essential. Strong problem-solving skills are an asset. Alternatively, research positions developing and delivering content for the WCU Planetarium are available.
Course-Credit Research Opportunities Available: Yes
Graduate and undergraduate independent study course credit are available during the summer, fall and/or spring semesters. Students will work closely with me the semester prior to the independent study semester developing a research question and research proposal. The work will be carried out during the independent study semester.
Volunteer Research Positions Available: Yes
Volunteer Research Positions are available to develop and deliver content for the WCU Planetarium. Students can also propose to do a SURI project with my research lab. Students interested in doing astrophysics research are encouraged to pursue a work-study position (if eligible), a grant-funded position, or independent study for course credit.
Biography
Dr. Gagné and his students study X-ray emission from stars, especially magnetic massive stars. Students in his research group analyze data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and perform 3D magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of the magnetized winds on these massive stars. With collaborators at Goddard Space Flight Center, Penn State, the University of Delaware, MIT, and the University of Notre Dame, our research seeks to understand the mechanisms which produce the x-rays seen from the most massive young stars. Dr. Gagné has written a textbook and lab activities in support of his course on Galaxies and Cosmology, and loves to present the latest discoveries on Black Holes, Gravitational Waves, the Big Bang and Exoplanets.
