I research the physical and chemical behavior of comets by utilizing data collected from telescopic observations of comets, from laboratory experiments replicating astrophysical environments, and from spacecraft exploration. Through my research, I aim to understand the processes which affect the observable gas that surrounds comets, the atomic and molecular reactions that drive such processes, and how such processes compare to those responsible for the formation of our solar system.

The gas surrounding comets is mainly affected by two factors. One is the gas' interaction with the solar wind, which is the plasma emitted by the Sun. The other factor is the series of reactions that may occur in the gas. Comets, like planets, emit X-rays through charge exchange reactions between the solar wind and the neutral molecules in its atmosphere. I study the underlying charge-exchange reactions both in the lab and remotely using telescopes like XMM-Newton, NICER on the ISS (pictured below), and Chandra to study the plasma environments of comets