Star formation is a central issue of modern astrophysics. We have a robust theory of stellar evolution, but we do not have a clear picture of how stars form out of clumps of gas in giant molecular clouds.

Every young star is born with a circumstellar disk of gas and dust. The disk is large enough and has enough mass to produce a planetary system similar to our own.

I use a combination of observations and theoretical models to improve our understanding of the early evolution of the young star and the conversion of the disk into a planetary system. I also work on larger surveys designed to acquire an accurate census of stars in several nearby star-forming regions.

Currently, I am working in three areas.