Ryan W. Butler Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Ph.D. Astrophysical Sciences and Technology August 2023 - August 2026 (expected) 08/23-08/26 (expected)
Rochester Institute of Technology

Master of Science, Astrophysical Sciences and Technology M.S. Astrophysical Sciences and Technology August 2021 - August 2023 08/21-05/23
Rochester Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Arts, Physics and Mathematics August 2017 - May 2021 08/17-05/21
Alfred University

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research Assistant November 2021 - Present 11/21-Present
Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY R.I.T. - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY

Utilize data from ESA's Gaia Space Probe to identify candidate nearby, young stars that are attached to loose kinematic associations.
Assist in the feedback and science usage of a tool built to explore the Gaia data in 3-dimensional space via virtual reality
Actively communicate ongoing research findings with advisor and the developer of the aforementioned tool

Exoplanet Transit Research at Stull Observatory September 2020 - May 2021 09/20-05/21
Alfred University Department of Physics and Astronomy Alfred, NY

Authored the research and health guideline proposal for the transiting exoplanet observations.
Utilized programs such as MaxIM DL 6 and AstroImageJ to capture, process, and analyze transit data.
Presented results at the Alfred University 2021 Undergraduate Research Forum.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Teaching Assistant - Stars and Galaxies & Solar System Lab T.A. - Stars and Galaxies & Solar System Lab January 2022 - May 2022 01/22-05/2022
Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY R.I.T. - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY

Opened and closed the RIT Observatory telescopes for class observations.
Assisted students with classwork by answering questions that arose or by aiding them in the operation of astronomical equipment.
Graded student labs and communicated class performance to the professor.

Grading Assistant - University Physics II September 2021 - December 2021 09/21-12/2021
Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY R.I.T. - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY

Graded student assignments and labs and communicated results to the professor.

Teaching Assistant - Elementary Astronomy Lab January 2020 - May 2021 01/20-05/21
Alfred University Department of Physics and Astronomy Alfred, NY

Assisted in general telescope operations and opening and closing of facilities at Stull Observatory.
Aided students in locating celestial objects in observatory telescopes.
Helped troubleshoot any equipment issues that arose during labs.

Teaching Assistant - General Physics I Lab August 2019 - December 2019 08/19-12/19
Alfred University Department of Physics and Astronomy Alfred, NY

Assisted in general lab operations.
Answered student questions pertaining to lab material.
Graded all student labs and relayed results to professor.

Supplemental Instructor - Physics I January 2019 - May 2019 01/19-05/19
Alfred University Center for Academic Success Alfred, NY

Planned and led several weekly sessions of supplemental course material for a physics I class of 50 students.
Answered student questions regarding course material in supplemental sessions or via e-mail.

OUTREACH EXPERIENCE

AST Imagine RIT Exhibit Coordinator January 2024 - Present 01/24-Present
Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY R.I.T. - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY

Lead meetings and planning for the team creating the Astrophysical Science and Technology's large exhibit at ImagineRIT, a campus wide day of outreach for the community surrounding the university.
Consolidate and submit budget for various projects displayed at the exhibit.

President - RIT Astronomy Club August 2023 - Present 08/23-Present
Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY R.I.T. - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY

Plan and execute bi-weekly meetings regarding club events and plans.
Lead executive board in planning and budgeting for club events and activities.

AST Imagine RIT Exhibit Co-Coordinator February 2023 - January 2024 02/23-01/24
Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY R.I.T. - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY

Assisted in design and implementation of the Astrophysical Science and Technology's exhibit at Imagine RIT.

Vice President - RIT Astronomy Club April 2022 - August 2023 04/22-08/23
Rochester Institute of Technology - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY R.I.T. - School of Physics and Astronomy Henrietta, NY

Assisted with weekly meetings to plan and carry out club affairs and projects.
Hosted semi-regular observing nights for club members, set up and point telescopes for observations.
Aided in club administrative duties such as holding a booth at College of Science outreach events.

Stull Observatory Open House Operator August 2019 - March 2020 08/19-03/20
Alfred University Department of Physics and Astronomy Alfred, NY

Conducted a weekly open house at Stull Observatory.
Set up and pointed observatory telescopes at celestial objects for public viewing.
Gave facility tours of observatory to interested groups.
Used a small planetarium to give overviews of night sky when conditions precluded telescope operation.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Chambliss Astronomy Student Achievement Award 2024
The American Astronomical Society

Chambliss Astronomy Student Achievement Award 2023
RIT Graduate Education Week Showcase

Hal W. Metzger Award in Astronomy 2021
Alfred University

The Reynolds Prize for Achievement in Mathematics 2021
Alfred University

Hal W. Metzger Award in Astronomy 2020
Alfred University

FIRST AUTHOR POSTERS

A Virtual Reality Based Analysis of the Beta Pictoris Moving Group A Virtual Reality Based Analysis of the Beta Pictoris Moving Group January 2024 01/24
243rd American Astronomical Society Meeting New Orleans, LA

An Analysis of the Beta Pictoris Moving Group via Virtual Reality An Analysis of the Beta Pictoris Moving Group via Virtual Reality November 2023 11/23
49th Rochester Academy of Science Paper Session Rochester, NY

Investigating Nearby Young Moving Groups Through Virtual Reality Investigating Nearby Young Moving Groups Through V.R. January 2023 01/23
241st American Astronomical Society Meeting Seattle, WA