I'm Faith (she/her), and I am a PhD student in the Astronomy and Astrophysics group at the University of Warwick, supervised by Dr Daniel BaylissLink opens in a new window (2020-2024).

I also completed an MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics in the CAPSLink opens in a new window group at the University of Kent, supervised by Professor Michael SmithLink opens in a new window (2015-2019).

Research

My PhD work involves using new data from NASA's TESS missionLink opens in a new window and the NGTS arrayLink opens in a new window (Paranal Observatory, Chile) to search for transiting exoplanets.

I am in the third year of my PhD study, and my previous work includes analysis and global statistical modelling of a new planetary candidate system, TOI-836, which hosts a super-Earth planet and sub-Neptune planet with significant transit timing variations (TTVs) from a wealth of ground and space-based photometric and spectroscopic radial velocity data.

My current work involves examining and modelling exoplanet candidates from the Southern ecliptic hemisphere of TESS observations, with a view to identifying long-period duotransiting planets. I am also working on modelling and characterisation of TOI-908, a TESS planet in the Neptune desert parameter space from the HARPS-NOMADS program (PI: Armstrong).

I am a member of the TESS Follow-Up Observing Program (TFOPLink opens in a new window), the monotransits working group of NGTSLink opens in a new window, and the Astronomers for Planet Earth initiative (Astro4EarthLink opens in a new window).

I also have experience observing with ESO's HARPSLink opens in a new window spectrograph at La Silla Observatory, Chile, scheduling observations of stellar spectra for radial velocity data on behalf of fellow exoplanet researchers.

My MPhys dissertation, entitled 'Understanding Massive Star Formation', discussed the proposal and testing of a stage-based model of massive star formation using IDL code, with particular focus on bolometric temperature evolution and the Lyman excess problem. I also completed a dissertation during my undergraduate study entitled 'An Assessment of Triton as a Target for Studies of Habitability', in which I designed a research project to test new equipment ahead of a mission to Triton, based upon previous habitability research conducted on other icy moons of the Solar system.

My wider research interests include Astrobiology and image processing, particularly CCD and CMOS technology.

First author

🪐 F. Hawthorn et al. 2022 - "TOI-836: A super-Earth and mini-Neptune transiting a nearby K-dwarf".
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🪐 F. Hawthorn et al. 2023 - "TOI-908: a Neptune desert planet transiting a G-type star from TESS".
[SUBMITTED]

🪐 F. Hawthorn et al. 2023 - "Duotransit Candidates from the TESS Southern Ecliptic Hemisphere".
[IN PREP]

🪐 F. Hawthorn et al. - Untitled
[IN PREP]

Co-author

🌙 N. Grieves et al. 2022 - "An old warm Jupiter orbiting the metal poor G-dwarf TOI-5542".
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🌙 L. Sha et al. 2022 - "TESS spots a mini-Neptune interior to a hot Saturn in the TOI-2000 system".
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🌙 J. Lillo-Box et al. 2022 - "TOI-969: a late-K dwarf with a hot mini-Neptune in the desert and an eccentric cold Jupiter."
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🌙 D. G. Jackson et al. 2022 - "NGTS-23b, 24b and 25b as well as updated parameters for HATS-54b from the Next Generation Transit Survey".
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🌙 S. C. C. Barros et al. 2023 - "The young mini-Neptune HD 207496b that is either a naked core or on the verge of becoming one".
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Teaching

I work as a Senior Graduate Teaching Assistant for the first year undergraduate Mathematics module, PX149. My responsibilities include marking and grading weekly assignments and delivering two seminar classes per week.

I also worked independently as a private tutor from October 2019 to June 2021, teaching Mathematics and Physics to GCSE and A-Level, working with students across a wide range of abilities, ages and academic backgrounds.

Outreach and Other Interests

🤝 I was a student committee member for the monthly EquiteaLink opens in a new window meeting from its inception until January 2023. Equitea is a forum designed to discuss topics related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) in relation to Astronomy, Physics and STEM. In October 2021, I coordinated a fundraising month in aid of OCD-UKLink opens in a new window, which raised £530 in total for the charity. I have also taken the university's Active Bystander Intervention CourseLink opens in a new window, and Flip the Script with EAAALink opens in a new window.

🌞 As part of the university's hosting of the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) 2022Link opens in a new window, I assisted in outreach activities with SUN@NAM, inviting local schoolchildren to be part of the conference and running a mixture of scientific and artistic activities to do with the Sun and the installation in Butterworth Hall.

📽️ In March 2023, I was a member of the representative team of the Astronomy & Astrophysics Group at the Slice of ScienceLink opens in a new window event as part of the Resonate Festival, at which we ran shows with our planetarium, and demonstrated simple astrophysical concepts to young school children and their families.

🌍 During the second year of my PhD studies, the Astronomy & Astrophysics Group welcomed a group of international students from under-represented communities to the department to take part in the WAKELink opens in a new window programme. I was involved in organising, coordinating and running the Exoplanets group components of the programme, which included writing tutorial notebooks on exoplanet data processing, visualisation and modelling; an informal lunch session with the exoplanets group members; and a wider-interest workshop on science fiction. I was also a regular point of contact for WAKE attendees with regards to general organisation and assistance with code troubleshooting.

🙇‍♀️ I am also on the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Centre for Exoplanets and HabitabilityLink opens in a new window here at Warwick, and I have also been a student ambassador for the wider Physics department, assisting with open days for prospective students.

🔬 I have also assisted in the mentorship and supervision of three Masters by Research (MSc) students, and one summer student (URSS). I am also due to undertake joint supervision of a second URSS student in August 2023.

🔭 During my undergraduate study I was the treasurer of the University of Kent Space SocietyLink opens in a new window, with my responsibilities being managing society budgets and accounts, and processing a development fund from Kent Union to install wireless internet at the telescope dome. We also hosted an event in May 2016 for the Mercury transit, inviting local college students and astronomy enthusiasts to safely observe the transit using our 12-inch telescope.

✈️ I was also a member of the Air Training Corps (ATC) based at 2427 Biggin Hill SquadronLink opens in a new window from 2011-2015, where I attained the rank of Cadet Corporal, and was an active member of the Squadron Marching Band playing Bell Lyre.

🎸 In addition to my lifelong interest in science and astronomy, I am also a musician, having played cello and piano for 18 years in over 15 different musical groups, orchestras, pit bands and choirs. I have also played bass guitar for 4 years, self-taught, playing mostly gothic and black metal - I currently play bass for the Coventry-based band Sermon.

Outside of my research I am also interested in art conservation, osteology, ARGs and transmedia storytelling, gardening and collecting vinyl records.