Vitae

James L. Higdon

Cornell University
Department of Astronomy
222 Space Sciences Building
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-4511
e-mail: jhigdon@astro.cornell.edu



Research Interests

Star Formation in the Early Universe
Evolution of Galaxies in Clusters
Starburst Triggering and Regulation
Physics of the Interstellar Medium

Education

Ph.D. in Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin (1993)
M. A. in Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin (1986)
B. A. in Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin (1981)
B. S. in Physics, University of Texas at Austin (1981)

Thesis

``The Structure and Star Formation Activity of the Cartwheel
Ring Galaxy: A Multi-Wavelength Study''

Honors

CSIRO Research Fellowship (1996)
NRAO Jansky Fellowship (1993)
Robert Welch Physics Fellowship (1982, 1983)
B. S. with Honors in Physics (1981)
B. A. with Honors in Astronomy (1981)
University Deans List (1980, 1981)

Employment

Research Associate, Cornell University (2001-present)
Research Associaate, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute (1998-2001)
CSIRO Fellow, Australia Telescope National Facility (1996-1998)
Jansky Fellow, NRAO Socorro (1993-1996)
Research Assistant, Dr. G. Benedict, UT Astronomy Dept. (1989-1993)
Teaching Assistant, UT Astronomy Dept. (1985-1989)
Summer Research Assistant, McDonald Observatory, Dr. E. Barker (1985)


Research Skills

Radio Continuum & HI Interferometry (VLA, ATCA & WSRT).
Millimeter Wave 12CO Mapping (SEST, NRAO 12m, & OVRO).
Far-infrared spectroscopy using the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO).
Optical and Near-Infrared Imaging (Broadband & Narrowband).
Optical Long-Slit and Multi-Slit Spectroscopy.
Expertise with AIPS, IRAF, GIPSY, and CLASS data analysis packages.
Experienced programmer in IDL and FORTRAN.
Instrument Design & Construction.




Professional Duties
Cornell University

Independent research
Co-Investigator on SIRTF Extragalactic Programs
SMART development and testing
SIRTF post-launch science verification
Referee for ApJ, AJ, and A&A articles

Kapteyn Insitute

Independent research.
TAC member, Netherlands Foundation for Research.
NOVA School instructor.
Invited author for Encyclopedia of Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Referee for ApJ, AJ, and A&A articles.

Paul Wild Observatory

Independent research.
Array reconfiguration.
Array pointing and baseline calibration.
Acting Duty Astronomer.
Remote observing monitor.
Astronomical software co-administrator.
AIPS and IRAF consultant for visitors.
Referee for ApJ, AJ, and A&A articles.

NRAO Array Operations Center

Independent research.
VLA ``Spectral Line Guide'' Co-author.
``Friend'' for visiting Spectral Line Observers.
``Russian Roulette Lunch'' moderator.
NRAO representative at New Mexico State Fair (1993-1995).
Referee for ApJ and AJ articles.

Allocation of Telescope Time: 2000-2002

Hale 5m

A Deep NIR Survey for Star Forming Galaxies at Z=2.3 (Higdon, Higdon, & Herter)
Metal Abundances in Tidal Plumes and Tails (Higdon, Higdon, & Smith)


Chandra

Superwind Blowouts in Starburst Rings (Wallin, Higdon, & Higdon)


ESO Very Large Telescope

High Resolution Optical & NIR Imaging of the Cartwheel (Higdon & Higdon)


ESO 3.6m Telescope

Population Variations In AM0644-741’s Ring (Higdon, Higdon, & Cecil)


Canada France Hawaii Telescope

The Structure & Dynamics Of Starburst Nuclear Rings (Higdon & Benedict)


William Herschel Telescope

Deep BVR Imaging of Tidal Dwarf Galaxies in Arp 143’s Plume (S. Higdon & Higdon)


SEST

Molecular Gas AM0644-741's Starburst Ring (Higdon & Rand)


JCMT

The Radial Distribution of H2 in M33 (Israel, Higdon, & van der Hulst)


Grants Received

Chandra co-investigator (2002)
Leids Kerkhoven-Bosscha Fonds travel grants (Netherlands, 1998-2000) totaling $3000
Access to Major Research Facilities Grant (Australia, 1997) totaling $1600



Teaching Experience

Lecturer in graduate extra-galactic astronomy for the 2000 NOVA School, 23-27 October 2000, NFRA Dwingeloo, The Netherlands.

Supervisor for summer research students at the ATCA. I provided an introduction to research and tailored a research project appropriate for a senior level astronomy major.

Supervisor for students in the Australian Work/Study program (grades 10-12) at the ATNF during 1996-1998. This involved the organization of suitable projects, an introduction to astronomical research, and helping the students prepare their final reports.

Supervisor for undergraduate summer research students at NRAO/Socorro in 1994. This involved an introduction to astronomical research through a challenging project, VLA data reduction and analysis, and the presentation of results in a Summer Student colloquium.

Teaching assistant for introductory and upper-division astronomy courses at the University of Texas (1985-1989).



Speaking and Public Outreach

During the past three years I have presented colloquia based on my research at the following institutions: The Catholic University of Santiago (Chile), European Southern Observatory (Santiago), George Mason University, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Christian University, The University of Leiden, NFRA/Dwingeloo, New Mexico State University, NRAO/Charlottesville, The University of California at Santa Barbara, The University of California at San Diego, CSIRO Headquarters in Sydney, The Australia National University, and the Kapteyn Institute.

I have also given popular level astronomy talks for the Sydney Amateur Astronomy Club, the South Sydney Astronomical Society, the Coonabarrabran Astronomical Society, the Sydney Science & Technology Week, and the San Antonio (Texas) Amateur Astronomy Association.

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