Updated: 5 September 2017

Moved to www2.hawaii.edu/~kcooksey

Kathy L Cooksey

Current Position:
Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy,
University of Hawai'i, Hilo

Research Interests:
I research the large-scale gaseous structure in the universe to understand how various elements cycle in and out of galaxies, over cosmic time. As light from bright, distant objects traverse the universe, intervening gas clouds—between, around, and in galaxies—absorb the light at wavelengths characteristic, albeit redshifted, of the chemical elements in the clouds. By identifying and modeling the elements associated with absorption-line systems, we learn about how gas is processed through and dispersed from galaxies.
(Version only using words from the 1000 most common available here, a la the XKCD Up Goer Five comic.)

Education:
  • Ph.D. Astronomy & Astrophysics, UC Santa Cruz, September 2009
  • M.S. Astronomy & Astrophysics, UC Santa Cruz, June 2005
  • B.S. Physics, Valparaiso University, Indiana, May 2003
  • Beavercreek High School, Ohio, June 1999
Hobbies:
I would love to be playing soccer but... knee problem. So, I like running and hiking. On the more sedentary side, I crochet and watch anime.

Catwalk at Las Campanas Observatory.
Having a little fun in the 40 mph winds (May 2012).
Photo by Amanda Zangari.