Ashkbiz “Ash” Danehkar is a scientist employed at the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) since 2025. Prior to his current appointment, he held the positions of research scientist funded by NASA grants at Eureka Scientific (2022-2025), research fellow at the University of Michigan (2019-2021), postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (2015-2018). In 2014, he earned his Ph.D. from Macquarie University with the support of a Macquarie Research Excellence Scholarship. Ash is mostly interested in theoretical, observational, and computational astrophysics. Specifically, he is interested in studying superwinds in star-forming galaxies, ultra-fast outflows in active galactic nuclei, astrophysics related to the interstellar medium, and the gravitational physics of supermassive black holes.
Ashkbiz Danehkar
Scientist
Huntsville, AL, USA
Profile
Experiences
USRA
[Full-time]
2025 - present
Scientist (Astronomy)
Huntsville, AL, USA
- Support NASA’s Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concepts Team (IMPACT).
Eureka Scientific Inc
[Full-time, remote]
2022 - 2025
Scientist II (Astrophysics)
Oakland, CA, USA
- Research on spins of supermassive black hole in radio-quiet galaxies.
University of Michigan
[Full-time]
2019 - 2021
Research Fellow
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Hydrodynamic simulations and photoionization models of starburst-driven outflows.
Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
[Full-time]
2015 - 2018
Postdoctoral Fellow
Cambridge, MA, USA
- Spectral data analysis of X-ray observations of AGN and symbiotic stars, and imaging analysis of ionized nebulae.
Skills
IFU Spectroscopy
X-ray Data Analysis
Photoionization
Hydrodynamics
IFU Spectroscopy
Plasma Diagnostics
Chemistry
Kinematics
IRAF
IDL
Python
X-ray Data Analysis
HEASoft
XMMSAS
CIAO
Sherpa
XSpec
ISIS
Photoionization
1D Cloudy
3D MOCASSIN
Non-equilibrium
Collisional Ionization
Hydrodynamics
FLASH
Fortran
yt
Python
h5py
Radiative Transfer
Education
2014
Physics and Astronomy
Doctorate
- PhD Dissertation: Evolution of Planetary Nebulae with WR-type Central Stars
- Supported by Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship.
- Skills: Observational Astronomy, Theoretical Astronomy, Data Analysis and Visualization, Scientific Programming.
Plasma Physics
Master
- Master’s Thesis: Propagation of Electron-Acoustic Waves in a Plasma with Suprathermal Electrons
- GPA: Distinction (A)
- Supported by NI/UK Department for Employment and Learning Studentship.
- Courses: Theoretical Plasma Physics, Physical Fluid Dynamics, Low Temperature Plasma, High Density Plasmas, Laser Plasmas.
Computational Electrical Engineering
Master
- Master’s Thesis: Development of a Microcontroller-based Measurement System for the Neuromuscular Blockade during Anesthesia
- GPA: Good (B+)
- Electrical Engineering with a major in Computational Engineering.
- Courses: Computational Electromagnetics, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Control Theory, Microcontrollers, Parallel Computing, Circuit Design, Object-Oriented Programming, Distributed Systems, Operating Systems.
Certificates
by Harvard University, Derek Bok Center
2021
University of Michigan
2020
Publications
Awards
NASA
2022-2024
Black Hole Spin Survey of Radio-quiet AGN (ADAP 80NSSC22K0626)
Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid of Research
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
2013
Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship
Macquarie University
2010-2014
Department for Employment and Learning Studentship
Queen's University Belfast
2008-2009
Organizations
International Astronomical Union (IAU), Member
American Astronomical Society (AAS), Full Member
American Physical Society (APS), Member
References
Available Upon Request.