Benjamin Stahl

P ERSONAL I NFORMATION
D ATE OF B IRTH :
C ITIZENSHIP :
A DDRESS :

February 12, 1992

United States of America
119 Marnell Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

P HONE :
EMAIL :
WEB :

(831) 419-4550
benstahl92@gmail.com
benjamin_stahl@berkeley.edu

http://www.benjamin-stahl.com

E DUCATION
In Progress
S EPT 2015

Graduat Student in Physics - The University of California, Berkeley

Bachelor of Science (BS) - The University of California, Santa Cruz
Major: Physics (Astrophysics). GPA: 3.94/4.00 - Summa Cum Laude, Highest Honors in the Major, Deans Honors
Thesis: Spectroscopic Galaxy Cluster Observations for the Dark Energy Survey. Advisor: Prof. Tesla Jeltema

J UNE 2013

Associate of Science (AS) - California Community College, Cabrillo

Majors: Physics, Math, & Engineering. GPA: 3.95/4.00 - High Honors
Mentors: Prof. Carlos Figueroa & Prof. Jo-Ann Panzardi

R ESEARCH E XPERIENCE
J UNE 2016 - P RESENT

Graduate Student Researcher | University of California, Berkeley

Studying Type Ia Supernovae and their utility as cosmological probes using observations with Prof. Alex Filippenko.

O CT 2014 - AUG 2015

Undergraduate Researcher | University of California, Santa Cruz

Astrophysics research with Professor Tesla Jeltema centered on using spectroscopic observations of galaxy clusters to determine characteristics such as cluster mass. The results of this work will aid the Dark Energy Survey in
calibrating a mass-observable relation.
Tasks: 2.5 nights of observing using the DEIMOS instrument on the Keck II telescope, modifying and running a
data reduction pipeline written in IDL, scientific analysis of galaxy spectra, communication of work and results, etc.

J UNE - AUG 2014

Particle Physics & Astrophysics Intern | SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Worked as a SULI intern in the Particle Physics and Astrophysics directorate at SLAC. Responsible for testing and
characterizing the trigger performance of an ASIC designed as a front end electronics solution for the camera system
of the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array. A significant result was found while conducting this work, which will
ultimately lead to a redesigned ASIC.
Mentors: Luigi Tibaldo & Andrea Albert (Postdoctoral Researchers) | Stefan Funk (PI)

T EACHING E XPERIENCE
AUG 2016 - P RESENT

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) | UC Berkeley

GSI for Astro C10: Introduction to General Astronomy (Course Professor: Alex Filippenko). Responsible for leading
weekly discussion sections for 120 students, holding weekly office hours, writing and grading quizzes, etc.

D EC 2010 - D EC 2015

Tutor | Santa Cruz County, CA

Private tutor at levels ranging from junior high through graduate school. Primary subjects include mathematics
and physical science, though subjects such as engineering and architecture have also been tutored with success.
Experience as a tutor in the Physics Learning Center while attending Cabrillo College.

S EPT 2013

Cal Teach Intern | Fairview Middle School - Gonzales, Ca

Developing and implementing lessons in several math classrooms at a high needs middle school. Also worked one
on one with students to help motivate and support them in their education.

AUG 2011 - J UNE 2013

Teachers Assistant | Cabrillo College Engineering Department

Responsible for grading homework, projects, quizzes, and exams in engineering courses such as Surveying, Graphics and Design (AutoCAD), and Statics. Held weekly office hours and co-instructed the lab section of Surveying.

AWARDS
A PRIL 2016
D EC 2014
J UNE 2013
M AY 2012
AUG 2011
AUG 2011
AUG 2010

UCSC Deans Award for Senior Thesis

UCSC Undergraduate Research Grant ($1,400)
NSF S-STEM Supernova Scholarship ($25,000)
American Public Works Association Scholarship ($2,500)
Cabrillo College Scholarship ($950)
Rotary Club Scholarship Renewal ($750)
Rotary Club Scholarship ($1,500)

C OMPUTER S KILLS
S OFTWARE PACKAGES :

Excel, Word, Powerpoint/Keynote, etc.

Specialized astrophysics packages and pipelines (i.e. DS9, SpecPro, Spec2d, etc.)

P ROGRAMMING :

Working Knowledge: Python, LATEX

Basic Knowledge: C++, IDL, etc.

D ATABASES :

SQL

O PERATING S YSTEMS :

Mac OS X, Linux

L ANGUAGES
E NGLISH :
S PANISH :

Fluent
Basic Knowledge

I NTERESTS AND A CTIVITIES

P ROFESSIONAL

Observational Astrophysics and Cosmology

Education at the College Level
Teaching and Mentorship

P ERSONAL

Biking, Skiing, Camping

Musical performance on the bass