I am an Austrian PhD graduate in astrophysics with 5+ years of expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and visualizing terabyte-scale datasets, excited to apply my technical skills to new challenges in industry!
Professional Skills
- Data Analysis: Expertise in analyzing and interpreting complex datasets, including terabyte-scale astronomical data.
- Machine Learning: Proficient in implementing and optimizing machine learning algorithms for classification and prediction tasks.
- Data Visualization: Skilled in creating clear and impactful visual representations of data to communicate findings effectively.
- Analytical Problem Solving: Strong foundation in tackling complex problems with data-driven solutions.
- Communication: Experienced in conveying complex concepts to diverse audiences, from technical experts to the general public.
- Team Collaboration: Proven ability to work in international, interdisciplinary teams and contribute effectively to collaborative projects.
- Programming: Proficient in Python, SQL, and other tools for data analysis and automation.
Scientific Portfolio
I conducted my scientific research at two institutions.
During my time there, I pursued and obtained a Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degree in Astronomy, with a focus on the structure and formation history of the Milky Way.
My work at both institutes provided me with extensive experience in the analysis of terabyte-scale astrometric, spectroscopic and photometric datasets (e.g. provided by the ESA space observatory Gaia)
and contributed to advancing our understanding of the following astrophysical questions:
- On what orbits are stars born?
- How clustered is the distribution of birth places of stars?
- At what rate do young star clusters disperse and what does this tell us about the structure of the Galaxy?
The image below displays a visualization of classified star clusters and stellar streams in the Milky Way. It shows the sky distribution of different stellar groups,
represented by distinct colors, using a Hammer projection.
Selected Publications
If you are interested in learning more about my research, you can explore this section of my selected publications.
Likelihood isochrone fitting
Link: Fürnkranz, Rix, Coronado & Seeburger 2024
We have developed a method to derive ages of stellar action-angle groups by projecting their action-angle distribution into 5D
position-parallax-proper motion space and draw CMDs from the entire Gaia catalog. We then
performed a likelihood isochrone fitting, which accounts for widely varying distances and reddenings, outliers
and binaries, sparsely populated main sequence turn-offs, and the possible presence of an intrinsic age spread
within a stellar population.
'Pearls on a string'
Link: Coronado, Fürnkranz & Rix 2022
We have identified algorithmically the most prominent ensembles of stars in the solar neighborhood that are clustered in orbit
and orbital phase (action-angle) space. We then explored the orbit phase distribution of all stars in the same 'orbit patch' as any of these action-angle groups, and
discovered that very commonly numerous other distinct orbit-phase overdensities are found on very similar orbits, merely at different orbital phases,
like 'pearls on a string'.
Coma Berenices tidal tails
Link: Fürnkranz, Meingast & Alves 2019
We have studied the well-known open cluster Coma Berenices and a previously unknown moving group of stars in its velocity
and spatial neighborhood. We unveiled the long predicted tidal tails of the open cluster Coma Berenices, an effect of cluster disruption due
to the tidal field of the Milky Way. Furthermore, we found that both groups will share essentially the same volume when their centers will be at their
closest in 13 Myr. This will result in the mixing of two unrelated populations with different metallicities,
which we estimated to be not a rare event in the Milky Way disk.
120° stellar stream
Link: Meingast, Alves & Fürnkranz 2019
We have discovered a dynamically cold, coeval stellar stream (known as 'Meingast 1' or 'Pisces-Eridanus') in the immediate solar vicinity at a distance of
only 100 pc. We identified the stream as an overdensity in the 3D velocity space of all stars within 300 pc of the Sun, using the revolutionary position
and velocity data provided by the Gaia mission. The stream shows an elongated structure with a length of at least 400 pc, while being vertically much more
confined. We speculate that the stream might be a remnant of a disrupted cluster, or more likely the outcome of a stellar association, shaped into
a thin stream by interactions with the Galaxy’s tidal field.
If you would like to learn more, you can access the full list of my publications here.
Personal
Besides Astronomy, you'll often find me outdoors. I'm a big fan of sports, enjoying everything from
volleyball to hiking mountains, and in winter, you'll find me skiing or going on ski tours.
I bike several times a week, and occasionally I like running and swimming too. I also travel a lot,
and I like to end up in less visited destinations sometimes.
Get In Touch
I'm always happy to chat. Whether you’re curious about my skills, my research, or just want to connect, feel free to
reach out. The best way to get in touch is via email — I look forward to hearing from you!
