Zach Griffith

Zach Griffith

Astrophysics researcher. Passionate about open-source software and machine learning.

Résumé

Professional Interests

I’m interested in opportunities to apply cutting edge machine learning solutions in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Programming Skills

Python

NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn, Pandas, matplotlib, Jupyter, Sphinx

Other tools

git, Bash, SQL, Docker, HDF5, Latex

Education

Ph.D. in Physics (graduating December 2019)
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bachelor of Science with distinguished honors in Physics (GPA: 3.85)
University of Northern Iowa

Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center

Graduate Research Assistant || June 2013 — Present || Madison, WI

  • Constructed a machine learning pipeline utilizing a random forest classifier to reduce a 10 TB dataset of ~160 million samples down to a 16 MB dataset of ~350,000 candidate gamma rays
  • Applied statistical analysis methods to test for significant evidence of high-energy gamma-ray emission, succeeded in placing world-best limits
  • Utilized high-throughput computing for physics processing of large TB-scale datasets
  • Contributed to and maintained internal statistical analysis software widely used within the IceCube Collaboration
  • Honed verbal communication skills through presentations to hundreds of scientists at international conferences

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Astrophysics Research Experience for Undergraduates || May 2012 — August 2012 || Madison, WI

  • Processed optical data of galaxy merger systems taken by the WIYN telescope using the Image Reduction and Analysis Facility software
  • Analyzed data through stellar population modeling with IDL

University of Northern Iowa

Research Fellow || May 2011 — August 2011 || Cedar Falls, IA

  • Utilized Origin, Matlab, and Mathematica software to analyze data
  • Tested the magnetic properties of nanotube structured manganese-intercalated tantalum disulfide samples using a Physical Property Measurement System

University of Northern Iowa

Research Fellow || May 2010 — August 2010 || Cedar Falls, IA

  • Developed a Fortran code base to model a hypothesized protoplanet collision with the planet Uranus during its formation

Selected Presentations

“An IceCube Talk (Title TBD)”
Nerd Nite Madison—Madison, WI. October 2018. (Coming soon!)

“Regression Analysis Methods”
WIPAC X-Meeting—Madison, WI. July 2018.

“Reproducible Software Environments - A Guide”
IceCube Collaboration Meeting—Atlanta, GA. May 2018.

“Search for PeV Gamma-Ray Point Sources with IceCube”
35th International Cosmic Ray Conference—Busan, South Korea. July 2017.

Publications

Z. Griffith, H. Pandya, et al. (IceCube Collaboration), Search for PeV Gamma-Ray Point Sources with IceCube, Proceedings of the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference. https://pos.sissa.it/301/715/pdf.

T.E. Kidd, A. O’Shea, Z. Griffith, et al. Synthesis of magnetic 1D dichalcogenide nanostructures, Journal of Nanoparticle Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-0903-8