Yuki D. Takahashi
Physics Department,
yukimoon @ berkeley.edu http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~yukimoon +1-510-643-1653
OBJECTIVE Through hands-on teamwork, build and test vehicles that enable affordable personal space travel.
EDUCATION
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2002-2009 |
Ph.D. (expected), M.A. (2005) |
Experimental Astrophysics |
University of |
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2001-2002 |
M.Sc. |
Physics & Astronomy |
University of Glasgow, |
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1997-2001 |
B.S. (GPA 3.85) |
Physics |
California Institute of Technology |
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1984-1997 |
Primary/middle schools in |
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PROJECTS
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2003-Present |
Graduate Researcher |
UC Berkeley (Prof. William Holzapfel) / Caltech |
South Pole telescope experiment:
Search for inflationary gravity waves through cosmic microwave polarization.
Built and deployed a novel telescope at South Pole as a principal member of a 10-member team to study the Big Bang.
Designed and built the telescope baffle, star pointing camera, and precision calibration devices.
Integrated motors, encoders, amplifiers, interlocks, and Programmable Multi-Axis Controller interface into a functional system.
Built size-restricted electronics with electrostatic protection and heat dissipation considerations in dry low-pressure environment.
Analyzing data and performing final calibrations in the field after operating successfully for 3 years.
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2002/Aug-Dec |
Team Scientist |
Universities Space Research Association (Dr. Michael Duke) |
Astronaut-Aided Construction of a Large Lunar Telescope, NASA Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts study.
Conducted a study with engineers
for
Investigated the rationale, requirements, and design for a telescope on the Moon.
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2001-2002 |
US-UK Fulbright Researcher |
University of Glasgow (Dr. Graham Woan) |
Proposal for a radio observatory on
the Moon (M.Sc. thesis)
Investigated the scientific motivations, design, and the best sites for a Moon based telescope mission.
Presented findings at 5 international conferences and published a refereed paper.
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2000/Jun-Sep |
Research Fellow |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Dr. Charles Beichman, NASA Origins Chief Scientist) |
SIRTF cosmological proposal team: Quantified photometric redshift accuracy achieved by the Space Infrared Telescope Facility.
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1998-1999 |
Research Fellow |
Caltech Pulsar Group (Dr. Shri Kulkarni) |
Millisecond
pulsar search: Developed an
analysis tool for Arecibo Observatory data, which led
to discovery of 5 new pulsars.
OTHER PROJECTS / EXPERIENCE
|
2006 |
NASA Planetary Science Summer School, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Selected as one of 18 students nationwide to design a mission concept with JPL's Team X. |
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2003 |
International Led a multidisciplinary team of members from 9 varied countries for a project on lunar exploration. Presented the outcome at the International Lunar Conference as the representative of the 50-member team. |
|
2002 |
International Workshop “Space Development: Theory &
Practice”, Learned about the Russian space program from experts at leading aerospace corporations and facilities. |
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2001-2002 |
International Academy of Astronautics "Lunar Farside Radio Laboratory" study team |
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2001 |
NASA Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunity, |
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2000-2001 |
President of Caltech SEDS (Students for the Exploration & Development of Space) Managed a list of >400 members, organized star parties, public NASA-TV viewing, Yuri's Night, special observatory/planetarium tours, visits to space-related facilities like the JPL Cassini Flight Operation, participation in conferences like the Telescope Makers Conference and Space Frontiers Conference, etc. Formed and led a team to construct a science-grade CCD camera setup for the campus telescope. |
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2000-2001 |
Team Lead, Lunar Telescope Mission Proposal Project, Caltech SEDS & Mars Society Formed and led a team to develop a joint lunar telescope & Mars mission. Led to my MSc research. |
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1999 |
Trainee, Studied mission design for setting up an optical telescope on the Moon. Presented to SELENE team. |
ACTIVITIES
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2004-Present |
Executive Committee, Lunar Explorers Society Led a multinational team to form a group to inspire people through the Moon. |
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2003-Present |
Lead, Young Lunar Explorers task force, International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) 2006 2004 2003 |
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2003-Present |
Board of Directors, International Lunar Observatory Association |
|
2002-Present |
Space Generation Advisory Council
( 2007: Led a Lunar Explorers Society project for the Space Generation Congress. 2002: Human Exploration of the Moon working group at the Space Generation Summit |
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Scuba diving (NAUI, BSAC), paragliding, Capoeira, tennis (team 1991-2001), swimming (team 1995-1997), community service. |
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TEACHING / MENTORING
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2007-Present |
Mentor for physical science majors, Compass Project, UC Berkeley |
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2004-2008 |
Project ASTRO Astronomer, Astronomical Society of the Pacific Partnered with a teacher to teach astronomy to a class of 4-6th graders. |
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2003/Fall |
Physics for Scientists & Engineers (50 students), UC Berkeley |
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2003/Spring |
Physics for Future Presidents (50 non-science majors), UC Berkeley |
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2003/Spring |
Communicating Science, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley Taught science lessons weekly to 30 sixth-grade students at a public school. |
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2001-2002 |
Astronomy Honours
Laboratory Demonstrator, |
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2001/Spring |
Astronomy 1 (Prof. Nick Scoville), Caltech |
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1994-1997 |
Assistant, Young Astronaut Program, Michigan Worked with an educator to prepare and run space-related activities to inspire children. |
SKILLS
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Mechanical: |
SolidWorks, AutoCAD, finite element stress analysis. Machining, TIG/MIG/MMA/oxyfuel welding. |
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Circuit design & simulation (OrCAD Pspice). Multi-layer PCB design (Protel) & assembly. |
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Radio: |
Microwave transmission/reflection measurements, spectroscopy, interferometry. FEMLAB/FDTD simulations. |
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Designing; integrating lenses, mirrors, baffles, filters, and CCD. Laser lab. |
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Other: |
Handling LHe, LN, vacuum pumps, leak detectors, residual gas analyzer. Nuclear/atomic/chemistry lab. |
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Analysis: |
Matlab, IDL, Mathematica, Maple; Perl, C, Fortran. |
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Emergency: |
CPR, Heartsaver AED, trauma emergency response team at South Pole Station (2006-2008). |
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Language: |
English (fluent), Japanese (native), Russian (intermediate). |
AWARDS
* Space Visionary Award (2008,
* NASA Student Ambassador to the
International Astronautical Congress (2008,
* NASA Student Ambassador to the
International Astronautical Congress (2006,
* Young Lunar Explorer Award,
International Lunar Exploration Working Group (2003,
* Fulbright Award (2001-2002, UK, one of 17 out of ~500 applicants) - to learn about a new part of the world.
* National Security Education Program Scholarship (1999, Russia) - to learn about the Russian space program and study Russian.
* Scholarships: LA Philanthropic (2000-2001), Byrd (1997-2001), Vesper (1997-2001), Morrison (1997-1998)
* Valedictorian (1997) *Distinguished Science Student Award (1997) * First Step to Nobel Prize in Physics (1997)
PUBLICATIONS /
PRESENTATIONS
Takahashi et al. Characterization of the BICEP Telescope for High-Precision Cosmic Microwave Background Polarimetry. Submitted to Astrophysical Journal, 2009.
Chiang et al. Measurement of CMB Polarization Power Spectra from Two Years of BICEP Data. Submitted to Astrophysical Journal, 2009.
Takahashi et al. CMB polarimetry with BICEP: instrument characterization, calibration, and performance. Proc. SPIE, 7020, 2008.
Analogs between Antarctica and the Moon. International Astronautical
Galaxy Observer’s Guide to the South Pole. Galaxy Forum Canada, Vancouver, 2008.
Antarctic-Lunar
Analog: from a South Pole Astrophysics Experience to Planning for Projects on
the Moon. International Space
Conference of Pacific-basin Societies,
Young Lunar Explorers Group and its First Project Results.
International Astronautical
Yoon et al. The Robinson Gravitational Wave Background Telescope (BICEP): a bolometric large angular scale CMB polarimeter. Proc. SPIE, 6275, 2006.
Takahashi et al. International Lunar Organization: Connecting Lunar Explorers. International Lunar Conference 2003, p.509, 2004.
A Concept for a Simple Radio Observatory at the Lunar South Pole. Advances in Space Research 31, 11: 2473-2478, 2003.
New Astronomy
from the Moon: A Lunar Based Very Low Frequency Radio Array. MSc Thesis,
A Lunar Based Very Low Frequency Radio Array. World Space Congress, Houston, 2002.
Call for Cooperation between Lunar Scientists and Astronomers. The Moon Beyond 2002, p.59, 2002.
A Lunar Far Side Radio Array as the First Astronomical Observatory on the Moon. European Geophysical Society G.A., Nice, 2002.
Precursor
Studies of Radio Wave Propagation around the Moon. New Views of the Moon,
Poster at
ESA Student Outreach Programme, International Astronautical Congress,
Citizenship: