Ms. Dalya Akl | American University of Sharjah | United Arab Emirates
Ms. Dalya Akl is an astrophysicist specializing in telescope operations, gravitational waves (GW), short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and computational modeling. With a rich background in astronomical image processing and data analysis. Her expertise spans real-time observation coordination, pipeline development, multi-messenger astronomy, and light curve analysis, making significant contributions to astro-physical research.
Publication Profile
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Ms. Dalya Akl’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the American University of Sharjah (U.A.E.), where she excelled in the study of gravitational waves and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Her undergraduate thesis, titled “Enhanced Analysis and Classification of Gamma-Ray Bursts through Advanced Astro-photometry Techniques and Machine Learning Algorithms,” showcased her early interest in combining astrophysical research with advanced data analysis techniques, laying a strong foundation for her future research endeavors.
🔭 Professional Endeavors
Ms. Dalya’s career spans multiple prominent roles in astronomical research. She is an active member of the GRANDMA Collaboration, where she plays a key role in the data analysis group and system operations. Her work in coordinating observational campaigns and data acquisition across international telescopes has provided valuable insights into the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave events. Her work has focused on optimizing observational strategies for multi-messenger astronomy, particularly for high-priority astrophysical events like GW170817.
🧑🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Ms. Dalya has made substantial contributions to the understanding of gravitational waves and their electromagnetic counterparts. As the lead of the SPECTRA team, she oversees the integration of diverse observation systems to ensure the precise execution of GW and GRB observational campaigns. Additionally, the study of gamma-ray bursts has advanced understanding in these areas, contributing to the ongoing efforts to link these phenomena across multiple wavelengths.
🚀 Impact and Influence
Ms. Dalya’s work in multi-messenger astronomy has had a profound impact on the astrophysics community. Dalya’s leadership in the SN2023wrk observational campaign and her significant contributions to the analysis of supernovae and GRBs have been instrumental in shaping the discourse in multi-wavelength astrophysics. Her research has been widely cited in top-tier journals such as the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS) and the American Astrophysical Society Journal, further cementing her influence in the field.
📚 Academic Citations
Ms. Dalya’s research is well-recognized within the scientific community, with her work cited in several impactful publications and conference presentations. Her paper such as “Early Observations of SN 2023wrk” have contributed to the ongoing advancement of multi-messenger astrophysics. In addition, Dalya’s leadership in data analysis for campaigns like the SN2023wrk and GRB 230812B has been pivotal in shaping the field’s understanding of these high-energy events.
🖥️ Technical Skills
Ms. Dalya is highly proficient in programming languages such as Python, Fortran, and R, and is skilled in using MATLAB, Mathematica, and advanced statistical tools like XGBoost for machine learning tasks. Her technical expertise extends to data analysis software such as Tycho Tracker, SAOlmage, and Aladin Sky Atlas, which are crucial for photometry, image processing, and astrometric calibration of telescope data. These technical proficiencies allow her to design, implement, and optimize astronomical observation systems and data pipelines, enabling more accurate detection and classification of GW events and GRBs.
Publications Top Notes
- Early-Time Observations of SN 2023wrk: A Luminous Type Ia Supernova with Significant Unburned Carbon in the Outer Ejecta
Authors: Liu, J., Wang, X., Andrade, C., Tanasan, M., Turpin, D.
Journal: Astrophysical Journal
- Multiband analyses of the bright GRB 230812B and the associated SN2023pel
Authors: Hussenot-Desenonges, T., Wouters, T., Guessoum, N., Zhang, X.-L., Zhu, Z.
Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society