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Sev Graham

Curriculum Vitae

[email protected] · Tucson, Arizona

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Education

University of ArizonaMay 2024
B.S. in Astronomy, Minors: Geosciences, Planetary Sciences, Physics
  • Cumulative GPA 3.50; graduated cum laude.

Selected Coursework

Astronomy & Planetary Science
Theoretical Astrophysics, Observational Astronomy, Planetary Astrobiology, Solar System Geology, Physics of the Solar System, Chemistry of the Solar System, Astronomy of Comets & Kuiper Belt Objects
Geoscience
Structural Geology, Petrology, Mineralogy, Geophysics, Earth Surface Processes, History of Earth’s Climate
Physics
Computational Physics, Theoretical Mechanics, Quantum Theory, Electricity & Magnetism, Thermal Physics
Mathematics
Vector Calculus, Differential Equations, Statistics

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Graham, S., & Volk, K. (2024). Uranus’s Influence on Neptune’s Exterior Mean-motion Resonances. The Planetary Science Journal, 5, 135. doi:10.3847/PSJ/ad4707

In Preparation

Dual exoplanet system (in preparation). Contributing author: dynamical stability mapping, mean-motion resonance analysis, and transit-timing-variation modeling. Author list pending.

Conference Presentations

Graham, S., & Volk, K. (2023). The destabilization of Neptune’s distant mean-motion resonances by Uranus. AAS Division on Dynamical Astronomy Meeting #54, id. 203.01.
Graham, S., & Volk, K. (2022). The destabilization of some of Neptune’s distant mean-motion resonances by Uranus. AAS Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting #54, id. 410.02.
Volk, K., Malhotra, R., & Graham, S. (2021). Mapping Neptune’s resonances into the distant solar system. AAS Division on Dynamical Astronomy Meeting #52, id. 305.01.

Research Experience

Undergraduate ResearcherFeb 2021 – May 2024
Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
  • Designed and ran N-body simulations (REBOUND; IAS15 and WHFAST) of the outer solar system and transneptunian objects to map Neptune’s external mean-motion resonances.
  • Traced the observed drop-off in resonance strength near 250 AU to Uranus-induced oscillations in Neptune’s orbit rather than direct perturbation of the small bodies.
  • Built a custom resonance-strength metric and Poincaré phase-space maps in Python to quantify transient resonance sticking in the scattering population.
  • First-authored the results in The Planetary Science Journal (2024); connected predictions to forthcoming LSST/Rubin survey constraints.
Research Collaborator (Dynamics)May 2026 – Present
Dual Exoplanet System (in progress)
  • Providing dynamical analysis for a dual exoplanet system discovery paper: REBOUND stability mapping, resonance analysis, and TTV modeling.
Undergraduate Laboratory WorkerMar 2022 – May 2024
Arizona Noble Gas Laboratory, University of Arizona
  • Prepared whole-rock samples for Ar-Ar geochronology (crushing, sieving, acid treatment) and produced pure mineral separates via optical microscopy and density / magnetic separation.
  • Packaged separates for neutron irradiation and loaded irradiated samples for noble-gas isotopic analysis.
Undergraduate Research AssistantJun 2022 – Aug 2022
Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
  • Contributed to SBDynT, a machine-learning package to classify the dynamical properties of small bodies expected from the LSST.
  • Characterized centaur orbital dynamics, identifying resonant configurations with the giant planets and their stability timescales. These results were used to train the model.

Professional Experience

Battery R&D TechnicianAug 2025 – Present
Ampcera, Tucson, AZ
  • Developed the group’s first viable dry-process graphite anode, carrying a delegated formulation through a self-designed calendering process now in pouch-cell validation.
  • Fabricate dry-process electrodes and run split-cell experiments characterizing new solid electrolyte powders (ionic conductivity, air-exposure resilience, operating temperature range); maintain controlled-atmosphere gloveboxes.

Awards & Honors

Excellence in Undergraduate ResearchMay 2024
Department of Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona
Arizona NASA Space Grant AwardAug 2022

Observing Experience

  • Mount Lemmon Observatory: 12-inch, 24-inch, and 32-inch telescopes.
  • Mount Bigelow: 61-inch Kuiper telescope.

Technical Skills

Programming
Python (NumPy, pandas, Matplotlib, SciPy, REBOUND, REBOUNDx)
Simulation
N-body integration (IAS15, WHFAST, MERCURIUS), resonance and stability analysis, Poincaré maps, TTV modeling, JPL Horizons
Laboratory
Controlled-atmosphere glovebox, electrochemical cell testing (split and pouch cells), Ar-Ar sample preparation, optical microscopy, SEM operation, rock saw operation, chemical handling, radiation safety
Electronics
Soldering, PC building, single-board computers
Computing
Linux command line, self-hosting (Docker), data analysis and scientific computing
Instrumentation
Consumer-grade telescope and drone operation

Technical Projects

REBOUND Test-Particle Pipeline
  • Parallelized N-body pipeline (MERCURIUS) in Python for solar-system and exoplanet stability studies; config-driven disk generation with collision and escape detection.
Self-Hosted Home Lab
  • Multi-node Docker stack on Linux (server and NAS): personal cloud, media server, home automation, and a Raspberry Pi running BirdNET acoustic species monitoring.

Teaching, Mentoring & Service

Assistant Instructor
Jackrabbit Chinese Martial Arts, Tucson, AZ
  • Regularly assist in instructing less experienced members in Taiji, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Shuai Jiao concepts.
  • Serve as club treasurer.
Citizen Science Contributor
BirdNET-Pi acoustic monitoring
  • Built and maintain a Raspberry Pi acoustic monitoring station that automatically detects and uploads bird species identifications to a public database.

References

Available upon request.