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Contact

Full Name Cassidy Soloff
Email csoloff@arizona.edu

Education

  • 2024 - 2026
    Ph.D. Atmospheric Science
    University of Arizona
    Minor: Remote Sensing
  • 2022 - 2024
    M.S. Atmospheric Science
    University of Arizona
  • 2018 - 2022
    B.A. Physics & Astronomy
    Wesleyan University
    Minor: Environmental Studies

Experience

  • 2022.05 - 2026.05
    Graduate Research Assistant
    University of Arizona
    Adivsor: Dr. Armin Sorooshian
    • NASA’s Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE)
      • Researched the spatial evolution of aerosol and gas properties of the U.S. east coast using flights transiting from Virginia to Bermuda (publication)
      • Predicted Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) concentration from aerosol chemistry using Köhler theory and machine learning techniques and compared with direct CCN measurements to assess understanding of aerosol microphysics and instrumentation
    • NASA’s Arctic Radiation-Cloud-Aerosol-Surface-Interaction Experiment (ARCSIX)
      • Conducted lab study using Differential Aerosol Sizing and Hygroscopicity Spectrometer Probe (DASH-SP) to measure deliquescence and refractive index of different particle species
      • Collected data with DASH-SP instrument during ARCSIX mission in Northern Greenland during summer 2024, flying 28 combined hours on the NASA P-3 Orion aircraft
      • Diagnosed and resolved issues with of DASH-SP in the field
      • Developed scripts to process raw data from DASH-SP
  • 2021.05 - 2021.08
    Student Airborne Research Program Intern
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Adivsors: Dr. Roya Bahreini, Andreas Beyersdorf; Mentor: Eva-Lou Edwards
    • Researched the local radiative forcing from the 2018 Kīlauea flank eruption
    • Flew 10 combined hours on NASA DC-8 research aircraft to monitor the aerosol instruments
  • 2020.01 - 2022.05
    Undergraduate Research Assistant
    Wesleyan University
    Adivsor: Dr. Seth Redfield
    • Modeled exoplanet atmosphere spectra and developed an exoplanet transit survey for hot, bright stars
    • Worked as an Undergraduate Research Fellow in the Summer of 2020, assisting Dr. Seth Redfield as a co-investigator for his James Webb Space Telescope proposal to make spectral observations
    • Conducted the first exoplanet transit observations with the Van Vleck Observatory’s 24-inch PlaneWave telescope to derive the photometric sensitivity and precision of the new equipment
    • Analyzed exoplanet transit curves to derive stellar and planetary properties
  • 2019.02 - 2020.01
    Telescope Operator
    Wesleyan University
    • Operated the 24-inch Perkin telescope and software to produce science images of stars and galaxies in specified wavelength bands, providing data for Wesleyan researchers

Teaching Experience

  • 2019.02 - 2022.05
    Astronomy Public Outreach
    Wesleyan University
    • Lead presentations for the department’s Space Nights and assist in kids public outreach events
  • 2021.09 - 2021.12
    Course Assistant: Introduction to Astronomy
    Wesleyan University
    • Assisted students during office hours and graded homework/exams

Volunteering

  • 2023.08 - 2024.05
    Treasurer
    University of Arizona
    • Managed finances for outreach and social events for of Hydrology and Atmospheric Science Student Association
  • 2021.09 - 2022.05
    President of Astronomy Club
    Wesleyan University
    • Organized club activities and presented weekly on current topics in Astronomy

Professional Development

  • 2023.04
    Carbon Methods Workshop
    The Nature Conservancy in Arizona
    • Performed measurements of tree and soil carbon along the lower San Pedro River

Articles

  • Soloff, C., Ouanemalay, E. (2022, January 5). Learning from Cognitive Deficiencies to Prevent the Next Pandemic. Medium. https://medium.com/resilience/learning-from-cognitive-deficiencies-to-prevent-the-next-pandemic-7f11cf9b6c8b

Presentations

  • (Oral) Soloff, C., et al. "CCN Closure for the ACTIVATE campaign." American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, Washington D.C., December 2024.
  • (Oral) Soloff, C., et al. "Bridging Gas and Aerosol Properties between Northeast U.S. and Bermuda: Analysis of Eight Transit Flights." El Dia del Agua y la Atmosfera, Tucson, AZ, March 2024.
  • (Poster) Soloff, C., et al. "Characterization of Trace Gases and Particles Across the Northwest Atlantic: Analysis of Transit Flights during the NASA ACTIVATE Mission." American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 2023.
  • (Poster) Soloff, C., et al. "Characterization of Trace Gases and Particles Across the Northwest Atlantic: Analysis of Transit Flights during the NASA ACTIVATE Mission." El Dia del Agua y la Atmosfera, Tucson, AZ, March 2023.
  • (Poster) Soloff, C., et al. "Radiative Forcing Analysis of the 2018 Kīlauea Flank Eruption." American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, Chicago, IL, December 2022.
  • (Poster) Soloff, C., and Seth Redfield. "Unseen Worlds: A Search for Exoplanet Transits of Bright Early-Type Stars." American Astronomical Society, Pasadena, CA, June 2022.
  • (Panel Discussion) Redfield, S., Bennett, K., Soloff, C., McGregor, K., STEAMfest, Bridgeport, CT, Nov 2021

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

  • 2024
    • Sol Resnick Scholarship
    • Roots for Resilience Fellowship
    • Galileo Circle Student Scholarship
  • 2023
    • NASA Group Achievement Award
    • El Día del Agua y La Atmosfera Best Poster
    • Graduate College Fellowship
  • 2022
    • Littell Prize
  • 2021
    • NASA Undergraduate Research Grant
  • 2020
    • Wesleyan Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Qualifications & Skills

  • Skills: Proficient in Python, ArcGIS Pro, GitHub; Basic in R, C
  • Instrumentation: DASH-SP, PlaneWave 24-inch telescope
  • Strengths: Data analysis, machine learning, leadership, communication, teamwork, organization