cv

CWatson Academic CV

Basics

Name Courtney Watson
Label Astrophysicist
Email astrocourtneyb{at}gmail.com
Url https://doct3rwatson.github.io/personal-page/
Summary PhD-trained astrophysicist with 7+ years of experience in data analysis and project management within the academic research sector. Proficient in Python (pandas, NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib) and SQL-style querying, with strong skills in statistical analysis and visualization and proven ability to communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences. Dedicated educator with multiple teaching fellowships and recognition for outstanding teaching performance. Experienced collaborator with strong technical expertise in Python-based data analysis, astronomical software, and scientific communication. Now seeking to transition into industry, where I can apply my analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills to real-world challenges in data science, analytics, or related roles.

Education

  • 2019 - 2022

    Boston, MA

    MA
    Boston University
    Astronomy
  • 2019 - 2025

    Boston, MA

    PhD
    Boston University
    Astronomy
    • Thesis: Galaxy Cluster Dynamics: Insights from Bent, Double-Lobed Radio Sources and Multi-Wavelength Observations
  • 2015 - 2018

    College Station, TX

    BS
    Texas A&M University
    Physics
    • Undergraduate Research Scholar

Work

  • 2025 - now
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian
    Compiling and maintaining the lensing systems library and creating visualizations to provide insights into the systems in the benchmark AGEL survey.
  • 2020 - 2024
    Graduate Teaching Fellow
    Boston University
    Supervised discussions and/or laboratories for five (5) semesters of undergraduate astronomy courses
    • Awarded Outstanding Teaching Fellow, Spring 2024
  • 2020 - 2025
    Graduate Research Fellow
    Boston University
    Employing space-based observations to study the thermodynamic properties of galaxy clusters and investigate the interplay between active galactic nuclei and their surrounding cluster environments
  • 2018 - 2019
    Post-Baccalaureate Researcher
    Yale University
    Near-infrared spectroscopy of high redshift galaxy-galaxy mergers; Asteroseismic analysis of solar-cycle related changes in the sun
  • 2015 - 2018
    Undergraduate Research Assistant
    Texas A&M University
    Combined Hubble Space Telescope photometry with 3D-HST observations to present a complete survey of potentially merging objects in two high redshift clusters; Identification of galaxy-galaxy mergers in high redshift galaxy clusters.

Awards

  • 2023.2024
    Outstanding Teaching Fellow
    Boston University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
    In recogition of important contributions to department's teaching mission
  • 2021.2023
    Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Awarded multiple semesters of funding for proposed projects.
  • 2017
    Undergraduate Research Scholar
    Texas A&M University
    Honors distinction awarded after the completion of my undergraduate thesis: “Identifying Galaxy Mergers in High Redshift Clusters Using the Hubble Space Telescope”

Publications

Skills

Data & Analytics
Python (e.g., pandas, NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, Astropy, Bokeh, etc.)
Microsoft Excel
Jupyter
Anaconda
Git
APIs
SQL
Astronomy specific analysis (e.g., CIAO, IRAF, SExtractor, EAZY, FAST, Drizzlepac)
Project Mangement
LaTeX (technical/scientific writing, publication-quality documents)
Markdown (documentation, README files)
Project management / collaboration platforms (e.g., Airtable, Smartsheet, Project)
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner)
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive)
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

Languages

English
Native speaker