Ryan Johnston

Background

About Ryan Johnston

I am a second-year graduate student in the astrophysics group at the University of Alberta, under the supervision of Dr. Gregory Sivakoff. I am originally from Calgary, where I completed my BSc in Astrophysics and Master's of Data Science and Analytics. My research background is mainly in radio astronomy. In the past, I studied the emission from the jets made by supermassive blackholes in other galaxies with Dr. Jeroen Stil at the University of Calgary. I have also applied myself to other fields such as healthcare where I worked on a project with Dr. Chel Hee Lee involving the use of machine learning models and statistical methods to aid in medical decisions regarding fluid management within hypotensive ICU patients. I now focus on stellar radio astronomy, studying stars with intense flare activity. Stellar flares are akin to solar flares but are vastly more powerful. Investigating their magnetic activity and surrounding environments is useful not only for a better understanding of stellar physics but also for assessing the habitability of exoplanets and searching for extraterrestrial life. This also has practical implications, such as enhancing our ability to protect both technology and ourselves from the effects of solar flares. When I am not pretending I understand astrophysics or standing inside the dish of a radio telescope, I am busy being a drummer and a heavy metal rocker, which I've been doing for about 12 years and teaching music for about 3 years. I enjoy the outdoors and nature when the weather is good, doing things like cycling, and in the winter I like ice skating and hockey.