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Ashkbiz Danehkar
Scientist at USRA

About

Ashkbiz (Ash) Danehkar works as a scientist in astronomy at the Universities Space Research Association (USRA). Prior to his employment at USRA, he was a scientist (astrophysicist) at Eureka Scientific, where he receives financial support from NASA grants from 2022 until 2025. Previously, he held a position as a research fellow at the University of Michigan (2019–2021) and a postdoctoral position at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (2015–2018). In 2014, he earned his Ph.D. from Macquarie University. Ash's primary areas of interest lie in theoretical, observational, and computational astrophysics. They specifically focus on studying outflows in active galactic nuclei, starburst feedback in galaxies, astrophysics related to the interstellar medium, and the gravitational physics associated with black holes.

Work Experience

Universities Space Research Association
Huntsville, AL, USA
https://sti.usra.edu/
June 2025 – Present
Scientist
Support NASA's Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT).
Eureka Scientific Inc
Oakland, CA, USA
https://eurekasci.com/
March 2022 – May 2025
Research Scientist
Perform X-ray data analysis to measure the spins of black holes in radio-quiet active galactic nuclei.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
https://umich.edu/
January 2019 – December 2021
Research Fellow
Conduct numerical simulations and photoionization models to study starburst superwinds.
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Cambridge, MA, USA
https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/
September 2015 – December 2018
Postdoctoral Fellow
Perform X-ray spectral analysis on active galactic nuclei and symbiotic systems, and imaging analysis on ionized nebulae.
Macquarie University
Sydney, NSW, Australia
https://www.mq.edu.au/
May 2014 – March 2010
PhD Researcher
Perform IFU data analysis, plasma diagnostics, and chemical analysis of ionized nebulae, along with photoionization and morpho-kinematic modeling.
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
https://www.qub.ac.uk/
September 2008 – December 2009
Postgraduate Researcher
Study theoretical fluid models of a space plasma containing suprathermal electrons, resulting in the formation of electron-acoustic waves.
University of Craiova
Craiova, Dolj, Romania
https://www.ucv.ro/en/
February 2008 – October 2008
Visiting Researcher
Conduct an investigation on dual linearized gravity, topological BF Theories, gauge theories, and general relativity.

Awards

  • April 2022

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration

    NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis Program Grant

    Black Hole Spin Survey of Radio-quiet AGN (ADAP 80NSSC22K0626)

  • September 2013

    Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society

    Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research (GIAR)

  • December 2010

    Macquarie University

    Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship

  • December 2008

    Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland

    Department for Employment and Learning Studentship

  • December 2008

    Marie Curie Research Training Network, European Commission

    Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher Scholarship

Projects

  • GitHub Repositories:

Contact

Universities Space Research Association
Huntsville, Alabama 35805 US
https://danehkar.net/
LinkedIn
danehkar
Twitter
danehkar
GitHub
danehkar

Education

  • 2010 2014

    Macquarie University

    https://www.mq.edu.au/

    Doctor of Philosophy

    Physics and Astronomy

  • 2008 2009

    Queen's University Belfast

    https://www.qub.ac.uk/

    Master of Science

    Plasma Physics

    Grade: Distinction

    Courses
    • Plasma Theory
    • Experimental Plasma Physics
    • Astrophysical Plasmas
    • Laser-Produced Plasmas
    • Low-Temperature Plasmas
  • 2005 2007

    University of Rostock

    https://www.uni-rostock.de/en/

    Master of Science

    Computational Electrical Engineering

    Grade: Good

    Courses
    • Computational Electromagnetics
    • Finite Element Methods
    • Applied Mathematics
    • Numerical Linear Algebra
    • Parallel Computing
    • Object-Oriented Programming
    • Programmable Integrated Circuits
    • Microcontrollers
    • Controller Design
    • Distributed Real-Time Systems
    • Advanced VLSI Design

Skills

Astronomy Master
Astrophysics Plasma Physics ISM AGN Starburst
Physics Master
Plasma Physics General Relativity Theoretical Physics Mathematical Physics
Computational Astrophysics Master
Hydrodynamics Photoionization Fluid Dynamics Radiative Transfer
Computational Science and Engineering Master
Data Analysis Data Visualization Data Science Parallel Computing Applied Mathematics Finite Element Methods Finite Difference Methods Numerical Linear Algebra
Electrical Engineering Master
Electronics Microcontrollers Control Systems Embedded Systems FPGA CPLD
Computer Engineering Master
Object-Oriented Programming Parallel Computing Programmable Logic Devices Real-Time Operating Systems

Publications

Google Scholar: a2LX8coAAAAJ
Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=a2LX8coAAAAJ
ORCID: 0000-0003-4552-5997
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4552-5997
Scopus Author ID: 34972723700
Scopus
http://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=34972723700
ResearcherID: C-2053-2009
Web of Science
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/rid/C-2053-2009

Interests

Reading / Writing
Open Source