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Malia Barker

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Education

Emphasis in Data Science
B.A. Applied Computer Science

Biography

I am a PhD student in Computing with a focus on Data Science, passionate about applying computational techniques to astrophysical research. My work integrates computer science, data science, and computational modeling to explore complex problems in astronomy. I particularly enjoy approaching astronomical research from a software development perspective.

Currently, I collaborate with Dr. Brian Jackson in the Physics Department, studying ultra-hot Jupiters—exoplanets that orbit extremely close to their host stars and gradually spiral inward toward destruction. Our research combines previous observations, exoplanet data collected on the Boise State campus, and metrics integrated into our software to actively search for these planets.