About me

I completed my undergraduate degree at Warwick from 2013 to 2017, and started my PhD project in September 2017, with the Astronomy and Astrophysics group. My supervisor is Prof. Boris Gänsicke.

Since March 2020 I have worked remotely, and in January 2021 I transitioned to part-time study (usually Monday-Wednesday). I took parental leave from June 2021 to June 2022. Currently I am completing the research topics and beginning my thesis write-up.

He/Him/His pronouns.

My work

I work with observational data of metal-polluted white dwarf atmospheres, using ultraviolet spectroscopy from the Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph alongside optical spectroscopy. The aim of this work is to determine the bulk chemical composition of rocky bodies in these evolved star systems, as well as the frequency of planetary systems around white dwarfs.

In 2018 I led a successful application for observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, which were performed later in that year. I aim to submit the resulting paper in the coming weeks.

I am part of the WEAVE project as a Survey Builder, primarily working with the White Dwarf survey team, and take part in Operational Rehearsal exercises and Quality Assurance activities.

Through the Warwick White Dwarf research group I have performed astronomical observations using the William Herschel, Isaac Newton, and Mercator telescopes at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos.

Presentations

Conference Poster - Rocky Worlds

"Wet Planetesimals around White Dwarfs"

Conference Talk - Extreme Solar Systems IV

"Volatile- and Water-rich Planetary Material Accreting onto a White Dwarf"

Conference Talk - 21^st European White Dwarf Workshop

"Accretion of a wet planetesimal by a warm DAB". You can watch the talk hereLink opens in a new window.

Poster - 2017 URSS Research Showcase

"The Cosmic History of Galactic Habitability" Link opens in a new window

Publication history

--"White dwarf pollution by hydrated planetary remnants: Hydrogen and Metals in WD J204713.76-125908.9Link opens in a new window", Matthew J. Hoskin, Odette Toloza, Boris T. Gänsicke et al., 2020, MNRAS, 499, p.171

-- "Exploring the Cosmic Evolution of Habitability with Galaxy Merger TreesLink opens in a new window", E. R. Stanway, M. J. Hoskin, M. A. Lane et al., 2018, MNRAS, 475, p.1829

Outreach and other projects

During the Summer of 2016 I completed a Undergraduate Research Support Scheme project on "The Cosmic History of Galactic Habitability". I presented a poster on our work, which has since been continued and published.

I managed the Warwick planetarium for 3 years as part of my teaching responsibilities. I also volunteer on planetarium visits to nearby schools.

In 2018 I volunteered as a helper at the Coventry Pint of Science festival. In 2019 I spoke at the Space Wars Pint of Science event, as well as volunteering to help run events.

I kept and analysed a complete record of my activities in 2018, and presented this in a talk to the Physics post-graduate seminar group at Warwick.

If you would like to know more, please get in touch with me!