Summary

Ph.D. in Physics, B.S. in Electrical Engineering

• 7 years of experience in teaching and conducting scientific/technical research

• Experience in data acquisition, processing and analysis

• Experience in developing mathematical models for realistic phenomena

• 9 years of experience in software development under variety of platforms

• Efficiency and experience in adapting to new applications

• Strong analytical, problem recognition and problem solving skills

Professional experience

1999 – 2004 Uni. of Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant

Project:

X-ray Metallicities and Luminosity Functions of Galaxy Clusters

Programming Languages and Applications:

Perl, C, SQL, IRAF (Image Reduction and Analysis Facility), SExtractor (An astronomy source extracting software), shell scripting, AWK, gnuplot

OS/Hardware:

LINUX (sun Solaris / Sun Sparc)

Description:

Worked in search for a connection between the theoretically predicted amount of metal abundances (metallicity) and the brightness distribution in the clusters of galaxies

Contribution:

• Studied the theoretical models predicting connections between the metallicity and the brightness distributions in the galaxy clusters

• Computed the metal abundances of the galaxy clusters using a metallicity model and the data acquired by the X-ray space observatory, the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA)

• Acquired optical images for the galaxy clusters at the Kitt-Peak National Observatory (KPNO) using a 1.3 meter telescope. The images were recorded using the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS). The data were later reduced to tabulated photometry of the objects in the images using IRAF and SExtractor.

• Acquired optical data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) archives using web-based SQL queries.

• Acquired optical data from the Automatic Plate Measurement (APM) archives using web-based queries written in c

• Computed the brightness distribution functions of the galaxy cluster using the optical data by generating shell, Perl, AWK and IRAF scripts

• Generated comparison graphs for evaluating possible relations between the metallicity and brightness distribution of the galaxy clusters.

1997 – 1999 Uni. of Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant

Project:

Galaxy Classification Using Fractal Dimensions

Programming Languages and Applications:

C, IRAF, AWK, supermongo (a UNIX based plotting program), CFITSIO (a c based application to manipulate astronomy images in FITS formats)

OS/Hardware:

LINUX (sun Solaris / Sun Sparc)

Description:

Worked in development of an algorithm for automation of finding the type of the galaxy using fractal dimensions

Contribution:

• Studied the theory and the methods of computing fractal dimensions of multi-dimensional arrays

• Acquired galaxy images (in FITS format) from an archive at the Princeton University, and extracted pixel information of the galaxy images using CFITSIO

• Generated contours around different intensity levels of the galaxy images using JAVA

• Coded an algorithm to find the fractal dimensions of the galaxy contours

• Developed a system of classifying galaxies

Teaching:

Physics, mathematics, astronomy

Courses taught:

AST 105: Introductory Astronomy Lab

PHY 151L: Classical Physics Lab

PHY 181L: Electromagnetics Lab

AST 103: Substituted for Astronomy Faculty at UNLV

PHY 151: Taught a physics recitation class

Contribution:

• Prepared syllabi, lectures and exams for the students taking Physics and Astronomy

• Corrected, graded and recorded students’ work

• Developed a web-site for students to view their grades and class related information using HTML

• Tutored students taking Engineering, math, physics and astronomy

1995 – 1997 PJM Interconnections Norristown, PA

Telecommunications Analyst

• Administrated Northern Telecom Public Branch Exchange (PBX) through SCO UNIX system

• Modified and maintained database

• Installed and maintained telecommunications equipment

Project:

Software development of inter-departmental data communication

Programming Languages and Applications:

dbase, Microsoft Access, Excel, word

OS/Hardware:

WINDOWS 9.x (Intel)

Description:

Wrote a network application software that helped two separate telecommunications departments share updates with each other using dbase, Excel and Access. Created a technical manual for the application, and trained the staff for the usage of the application

1994 – 1997 Widener University Chester, PA

Computer Lab Consultant

• Helped students with applications such as Microsoft Word & Excel, Lotus, telnet, FTP

• Maintained Local Area NOVEL Network

• Supervised an assistant

Physics Lab Assistant

• Setup physics lab apparatus for the physics labs to be conducted

• Performed test experiments to ensure proper setups

• Kept inventory of the lab equipments

Research Assistant

• Visited National Undergraduate Research Observatory (NURO), Az with a university research faculty for acquiring astronomical data (8/95; 2/96; 8/96; 2/97)

• Assisted an astronomer in a full-cycle of astronomical data acquisition that included sample selections, observation time determination, understanding the observatory operation, recording calibration data for the telescope and the CCD camera, calibration of the telescope positioning, positioning the telescope on the sample objects, recording the CCD images on proper servers and analyzing the data

Project:

Speech recognition using Fourier Analysis

Programming Languages and Applications:

MatLab

OS/Hardware:

WINDOWS 9.x (Intel)

Description:

Wrote an application using MatLab that parsed the human voice into the basic phonemes using Fourier Analysis. The parsed phonemes were then compared with prerecorded phonemes using cross correlation technique for speech recognition

Publications

Presented a project titled “Metallicity-Morphology Connection in Rich Clusters of Galaxies” at the 197^th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). The abstract of the project is published in the AAS bulletin.

Presented a project titled “Galaxy classification using fractal dimensions” at the 196^th AAS meeting. The abstract of the project is published in the AAS bulliten.

In preparation

Galaxy classification using fractal dimensions,
S. Thanki., G. Rhee, S. Lepp, 2005, AJ

X-ray Metallicities and Luminosity Functions of Galaxy Clusters,
S. Thanki., G. Rhee, 2005, AJ

Education

1997 – 2004 Uni. of Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

Ph. D., Physics

Specialization: Clusters of galaxies

1997 – 2004 Uni. of Nevada Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

Masters, Physics

Specialization: Galaxy Classification

1994 – 1997 Widener University Chester, PA

Bachelors, Electrical Engineering And Physics

Specialization: Signal Processing and Analysis

1991 – 1994 Govt. Polytechnic Gujarat, India

Associate, Electrical Engineering

Specialization: FM Radio transmission

Languages

Fluent in English, Hindi and Gujarati

Interests/ activities

Teach and perform Indian Classical Music

• Performed at The Kennedy Center, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Richmond Arts Museum, Longwood Gardens, University of Columbia, University of Iowa, Columbia University, Lafayette College, University of Oklahoma, University of Cincinnati, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Cuyahoga National Park

• Prepare and provide lessons teaching Indian Classical Music

Awards received

• Student on Dean’s list 1994-1997

• Received a research grant from NASA 2001

References

Furnished upon request