Winter 2025 Mary Gates Awards Recipients - Office of Connected Learning

Congratulations to Bothell students Anna, Christian, and Kristiina for receiving the 2025 Mary Gates Endowment for 真人线上娱乐s in winter quarter. This scholarship provides $5,000 disbursed over two quarters and is intended to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduates while they are engaged in research guided by faculty.

Anna Elizabeth Ritchie

Award: Mary Gates Research Scholarship
Major: Physics (STEM)
Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodríguez Hidalgo, Physical Sciences

Christian Paulos

Award: Mary Gates Research Scholarship
Major: Biology (STEM)
Mentor: Dr. David Marcinek, Radiology

Kristiina Gaelle Tulleau

Award: Mary Gates Research Scholarship
Major: Mathematics (STEM)
Mentor: Dr. Joey Key, Physical Sciences Division

Developing MCMC Parameter Estimation Capabilities for EMRIs
真人线上娱乐 LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission is a joint NASA and ESA venture that will measure gravitational waves at frequencies that earth-based antennas cannot capture, such as waves caused by EMRIs (Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals). Before LISA is launched in 2035, it is paramount to learn how to analyze the mission data. My research identifies successful MCMC (Markov Chain Monte Carlo) parameter estimation techniques for EMRI signal data. Using simulated LISA data and exploring a range of system parameters in Python, I implemented different MCMC parameter estimation techniques (number of walkers, parallel tempering, etc.) on different kinds of EMRI signals and measured the match between the injected and recovered parameters, as well as examined the likelihood and corner plots to optimize search strategies. With these preliminary results, researchers can better incorporate MCMC parameter estimation techniques for EMRIs into their analysis as they receive data not only from single sources but many overlapping sources at once to determine a “global fit”, which recovers likely parameters for all sources detected. 真人线上娱乐n, general relativity can be tested as any deviations from expected behavior could indicate gravity acts differently than previously predicted. Furthermore, learning about the population of supermassive black holes via their recovered parameters provides insight to their relationship to galaxy evolution.