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Sara DoanSD
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Sara Doan

@saradoan

Software engineer at George Mason University maintaining BADASS and developing JWST data pipelines and spectral analysis tools.

United States
Message

At George Mason University’s Black Hole-Galaxy Connection Group, I build and maintain astronomical datasets and analyze active galactic nuclei and dwarf galaxies using spectral modeling and Bayesian methods. I refactored and modularized BADASS to support multiple instruments and fitting techniques, and I maintain its active fork.

I developed Daedalus, a Python pipeline for inspecting and preprocessing uncalibrated JWST data, and Lyra, a web application for identifying and labeling spectral features. My research has also contributed to first-author publications, including work on JWST observations and a spectral analysis of more than 19,000 quasars.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

SU
Current

Leadership Council

Spectrum, George Mason University

Aug 2023 - Present (3 years 1 month)

Developed a monthly Professional Development Series, initiated a mentorship program, and developed a new Spectrum website and space for its Humans of Physics project.

PK
Current

Assistant Instructor

Potomac Kempo

Jan 2015 - Present (11 years 8 months)

Volunteer martial arts instructor of personal lessons and group classes for children and adults.

George Mason University logoGU

Undergraduate Research Student

Jul 2021 - Apr 2022 (9 months)

Created full 360 degree solar synchronic maps using instrument calibration and brightening profiles with SDO, STEREO-A, and STEREO-B data, and studied the life evolution of solar active regions.

NO

Senior Reverse Engineer

Novetta

Nov 2019 - Jul 2021 (1 year 8 months)

Designed and developed a software architecture for a mobile security platform, developed automation utilities in Python for analyzing software programs, and created a pipeline for analyzing program execution similarities.

AC

CREU Project Student

Allegheny College

Sep 2009 - Sep 2010 (1 year)

Worked on a CREU project involving 3D printing technology, designed and implemented software to translate 2D shapes into 3D objects for printing, and presented a poster at the Grace Hopper Celebration.

UM

REU Student

University of Maine

May 2009 - Aug 2009 (3 months)

Worked with a professor in the Computer Science department on the University of Maine Ice Sheet Model (UMISM), gaining experience improving the efficiency of a large code base through multithreading.

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

GU

George Mason University

PhD in Physics, Physics

2023 -

Grade: 3.67

Pursuing a PhD in Physics with a focus in Astronomy, expected graduation in May 2028. Maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.67.

AC

Allegheny College

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

2007 - 2011

Grade: 3.53

Activities and societies: NCAA Scholar Athlete; Softball team co-captain; Teaching Assistant in the Computer Science department

Graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Completed a senior thesis on an implementation of xTEA for FPGAs and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.53.

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