Research highlights:

SurveySim output images ( Kurinsky et al. 2016 in prep.). For more details on SurveySim including dowloading the code please see:

SurveySim











SED templates for high-z starbursts and obscured quasars (Sajina et al. 2012)

This is an IR SED study of ~190 z~1-3 starbursts and obscured quasars. Ths study combines Spitzer mid-IR spectra and photometry with Herschel far-IR photometry to investigate the overall ~1-1000um SEDs of these galaxies. Each galaxy is fit with an empirical, multi-component SED model which allows for its classification (e.g. starburst, AGN, composite). In addition, median SED templates for each sub-class of galaxy are generated. For more information as well as to obtain the SED templates, please see:

IRS supersample








Discovery of water ice at z~2 (Sajina et al. 2009)

This is the earliest evidence for water ice in the Universe. The study involved deep ~2-8um Spitzer IRS spectra of 10 IR-bright dusty starbursts and obscured AGN.
The spectra showed evidence of water ice, the 3.3um PAH feature, as well as amorphous hydrocarbons (throught the 3.4um absorption feature). Compared with local galaxies of similar luminosity,
the composition of the dust in these z~2 galaxies was quite similar, suggesting applying standard dust models to the study of such distant galaxies is likely justified.

The decomposition of mid-IR spectra of galaxies into starburst and AGN components (Sajina et al. 2007)

I developed empirical techniques for decomposing the Spitzer IRS spectra of galaxies into the relative starburst and AGN contirbution. Subsequent studies showed that the mid-IR properties of galaxies are reasonably good predictors of their overall IR properties including role of AGN in powering L_IR.