PATRICK L. SHOPBELL
Department of Astronomy
Mail Code 105-24
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA 91125-2400
626-395-4097 / 626-799-4678
FAX: 626-568-9352
E-mail: pls@astro.caltech.edu
WWW: http://www.astro.caltech.edu/~pls/

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Education
RICE UNIVERSITY, Houston, TX
Ph.D., Space Physics and Astronomy, 1995
Dissertation: The Dynamics of Large-Scale Winds in Nearby Starburst Galaxies
Faculty advisor: Dr. Jonathan Bland-Hawthorn / Dr. Reginald J. Dufour

M.S., Space Physics and Astronomy, 1993
Thesis: Galactic Noise and the Distance to Centaurus A

B.A., Physics; B.A., Computer Science, 1989
GPA 3.97 of 4.00; Summa Cum Laude

Research Experience
ASTRONOMY STAFF, Astronomy Dept., California Institute of Tech., Pasadena, CA, 2000-present
Managed the department computing facilities, including a heterogeneous network of ~100 Unix computers, numerous PCs, associated hardware and software applications, and a staff of three persons (80%). Performed independent research in the areas of ionized gas dynamics in starburst galaxies, X-ray observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN), and imaging Fabry-Perot data analysis methods (20%).

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, Astronomy Dept., University of Maryland, College Park, MD 1998-2000
Engaged in collaborative research projects involving X-ray observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) from the Chandra space-borne observatory (50%). Performed independent research in the areas of galactic winds in starburst galaxies, ionized gas dynamics, and imaging Fabry-Perot data analysis methods (50%).

RESEARCH FELLOW, Astronomy Dept., California Institute of Tech., Pasadena, CA, 1995-1998
Performed independent research projects in the areas of galactic winds in starburst galaxies, diffuse ionized gas, the evolution of the ISM, and imaging Fabry-Perot data analysis methods (50%). Implemented a high-speed (ATM) network to support remote observing from California with the Keck Telescope, using NASA's ACTS satellite (35%). Provided support for instrumentation on the Palomar 60-inch and 200-inch telescopes and the LRIS instrument on Keck (15%).

Teaching Experience
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, Dept. of Natural Sciences, Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD, 1999
Taught introductory astronomy lecture and laboratory courses for non-science majors. Responsibilities entailed complete course organization, preparation and delivery of tri-weekly lectures, and development and grading of homework assignments and exams. Course curriculum involved a standard one-semester overview of astronomy; lab curriculum involved coordinated in-class and telescope observing projects. (Example materials)

INSTRUCTOR, Unix Courses, various locations, 1997-present
Taught courses in the use and administration of Unix computer systems for novice and experienced users. Responsibilities entailed course preparation, including computer demonstrations and hands-on activities, presentation of the material (over time periods of 3 hours to 2 days), and assessment and follow-up interactions.

INSTRUCTOR ASSISTANT, Physics Dept., Rice University, Houston, TX, 1986-1993
Assisted in teaching introductory physics courses for non-science majors and associated laboratories. Responsibilities entailed weekly lecturing and grading for small (25 students) tutorial classes. Curriculum involved a two-semester course, covering the topics of mechanics, thermodynamics, E&M, optics, and relativity.

MENTOR, NSF Teacher Training Program, Houston, TX, Summer 1990-1992
Trained small groups of K-12 teachers in techniques of astronomical research, including solar, nebular, extragalactic, and stellar cluster programs. Responsibilities entailed daily research trips to the observatory, literature research, and one-on-one instruction. Equipment included a 36-inch telescope, an automated 14-inch telescope, a spectrograph, and CCDs.

Related Experience
CONSULTANT, Private computer systems consulting, 1993-present
Numerous consulting contracts for the installation and administration of Unix and PC systems running a variety of scientific data analysis and web-oriented software packages. Provide support and training to users, both on-location and remotely. Clients include South Carolina State University, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and NASA.

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR, Space Physics & Astronomy Dept., Rice University, Houston, TX, 1990-1995
Responsible for the installation and maintenance of hardware and software on a heterogeneous network of Unix workstations and personal computers. Provide support for operating system and scientific software packages.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER, National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), Tucson, AZ, Fall 1992
Designed, specified, and implemented an IRAF package for the analysis of imaging Fabry-Perot data.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPER, National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), Tucson, AZ, Summer 1988,1989
Implemented the user interface and intermediate control software for a 2 GHz radio telescope receiver.

Computer Experience
System administration: 10 years experience with Unix, Windows NT, Macintosh, and PC systems
Operating systems: Unix (Solaris, Linux, OSF/1, AIX), Windows NT, Mac OS, DOS
Languages: C, FORTRAN, HTML, Pascal, Sh/awk, SPP, TeX, C++, Perl, Tcl/Tk
Hardware: Sun, Macintosh, PC, Digital/Compaq, IBM, HP, SGI

Telescope Experience
Keck Observatory/10-meter: 4 half-nights; LRIS imaging spectrograph; 1996-1998
Palomar Observatory/200-inch: 10 nights; double spectrograph, Fabry-Perot, COSMIC camera; 1995-1998
Palomar Observatory/60-inch: 25 nights; Fabry-Perot, CCD camera; 1995-1999
AAO/4-meter: 4 nights; Fabry-Perot; 1994
George Observatory/36-inch: ~40 nights; CCD camera, spectrograph; 1990-1995
George Observatory/14-inch: ~50 nights; eyepiece, CCD camera, solar filter; 1990-1995
Celestron/8-inch/11-inch: >100 nights; eyepiece, CCD camera, solar filter; 1986-1998

Grants and Awards
Professional
STScI Research Grant ($41k), 1999-2001
STScI Research Grant ($27k), 1997-1999
Graduate
Sigma Xi Research Grant, 1993-1994
Texas Space Grant Consortium Fellowship, 1991-1992, 1993-1994
Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 1994-1995
Marlar Award for Excellence in Research, 1991
William & Elva Gordon Fellowship, 1989-1990

Professional Associations
American Astronomical Society
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
IAU Working Group on Sky Surveys
Sigma Xi

Publications

Selected Presentations
Observations of Active Galaxies with the Chandra X-ray Observatory
Oct. 2000, Physics & Astronomy Department Colloquium Rice University, Houston, TX.
Keck, CELT, and the Quest for a 100-meter Optical Telescope
Oct. 2000, Physics & Astronomy Department Astronomical Unit, Rice University, Houston, TX.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory
Jul. 1999, Summer Student Research Program, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC.
A Fabry-Perot Instrument Primer
Apr. 1999, Journal Club, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
The Search for Extragalactic Ionized Gas
Apr. 1999, Astronomy Department Colloquium, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
The Chandra X-ray Observatory
Mar. 1999, Alumni Reunion Conference, Rice University, Houston, TX.
IRAF and SAOtng: Pushing the Limits
Feb. 1998, ADPF Users Group meeting, Caltech, Pasadena, CA.
Galaxies: Building Blocks of the Universe
Jul. 1997, Symposium, Tanner Research Inc., Pasadena, CA.
The Surface Brightness Fluctuation Survey
Jan. 1997, Journal Club, Caltech, Pasadena, CA.
The Dynamics of the Galactic Wind in M82
Oct. 1996, BIMA Seminar, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
The Dynamics of Large-Scale Winds in M82
Mar. 1996, Observatorio Astronómico Nacional, UNAM, Ensenada, Mexico.
Observing with the Keck Telescopes
Jan. 1996, Space Physics & Astronomy Department Colloquium, Rice University, Houston, TX.
The Dynamics of the Galactic Wind in M82
Oct. 1995, Astronomy Department Teatalk, Caltech, Pasadena, CA.
Computer Users Group
1993-1995, numerous informal computer-related presentations to the Space Physics & Astronomy Department, Rice University, Houston, TX. Sample topics: An Introduction to Unix; Mathematica; IRAF for Beginners.
M82: An Exploding Galaxy or a Galaxy Moving through Dust?
1994, Anglo Australian Observatory Seminar, Epping, NSW.
Galaxies and their Interactions
Oct. 1993, at Astronomy Day 1993, Houston, TX.
K-12 school presentations
1992-1995, numerous classroom presentations to elementary & secondary school students, Houston, TX.
Galaxy Morphology
Nov. 1992, at Astronomy Day 1992, Houston, TX.
Astronomical Unit
1989-1995, numerous informal scientific presentations to the Space Physics & Astronomy Departmenta>, Rice University, Houston, TX. Sample topics: The Distance to Centaurus A: Photography in Modern Astronomy; Power Networking for Astronomers; The Starburst-Outflow Connection in Galaxies.
Last modified: Tue Nov 28 23:19:19 PST 2000
pls@astro.caltech.edu