CV

Dany Waller

Ph.D. Student in Computational Physics at Umeå University

dany.c.waller@gmail.com

Education

  • Ph.D in Computational Physics
    Umeå University
  • M.S. in Applied Physics (Honors)
    2022
    Johns Hopkins University
    Courses: Physics of Remote Sensing, Applied Computational Electromagnetics, Chaos and Its Applications
  • B.S. in Mathematics
    2019
    University of Kentucky
    Courses: Group Theory, Combinatorics & Graph Theory, Principles of Analysis
  • B.A. in Physics
    2019
    University of Kentucky
    Courses: Computational Physics, Fundamental Geophysics, Gravity & Magnetic Methods

Work Experience

  • Graduate Research Assistant
    2025 -
    Umeå University
    Graduate Research Assistant in Dr. Shahab Fatemi's lab in the Department of Physics.
  • Associate Professional Staff
    2021 - 2025
    JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
    Associate Professional Staff in the Space Exploration Sector.
  • Scientific Analyst II
    2020 - 2021
    Science Systems & Applications, Inc.
    Scientific Analyst II supporting the Geodesy and Geophysics Laboratory (61A) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
  • Farish Planetarium Director
    2019 - 2020
    The Living Arts & Science Center
    Director of the Farish Planetarium and Coordinator of the Earth & Space Science Education Program.
  • Undergraduate Research Assistant
    2017 - 2019
    University of Kentucky
    Undergraduate Research Assistant in Dr. Dhananjay Ravat's lab in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences.

Awards

  • Europa Clipper PIMS Special Achievement Award
    2025
    JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
    Recognized for role in the successful commissioning of the Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) on Europa Clipper.
  • Lunar Vertex Special Achievement Award
    2024
    JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
    Recognized for role in the successful calibration and delivery of the Lunar Vertex magnetometer instrument suites.
  • DART Special Achievement Award
    2023
    JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
    Recognized for contributions to the success of the DART mission.
  • 2nd place, NESF/ELS Student Poster Competition
    2021
    NASA SSERVI
  • 5 Sigma Physicist
    2020
    American Physical Society (APS)
    Recognized for STEM advocacy work in local media.
  • Student Impact Award
    2019
    Omicron Delta Kappa Nu Circle
    Recognized for advocacy work in student affinity groups and public outreach with NASA's Solar System Ambassadors program.
  • Outstanding Senior on UK at the Half
    2019
    University of Kentucky
    Recognized for advocacy work in student affinity groups and public outreach with NASA's Solar System Ambassadors program.

Volunteer Service

  • Planetary Science Section Secretary
    2024 -
    Asia Oceania Geosciences Society
    Planetary Science Section Secretary.
  • Intern Mentor
    2022 - 2024
    JHU/APL CIRCUIT Program
    Intern mentor for the CIRCUIT Program at JHU Applied Physics Laboratory.
  • Intern Mentor
    2020 - 2021
    NASA Goddard Association of Postdoctoral and Early Career Scholars (NGAPS+)
    Intern mentor with NGAPS+ at NASA Goddard.
  • Committee Member
    2020 - 2021
    NASA Science Mission Directorate Bridge Program, GSFC
    Committee member for the NASA Science Mission Directorate Bridge Program at GSFC.
  • STEM Policy Advocate
    2018 - 2020
    American Physical Society (APS)
    STEM policy advocate with the American Physical Society.
    • Published op-eds in local and regional newspapers advocating for STEM funding and inclusive science practices, and met with local leaders and politicians to discuss STEM investments and community outreach.

Projects

  • Europa Clipper PIMS Graduate Student Affiliate
    2025 -
    Graduate student affiliate for the Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) on Europa Clipper.
  • Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mini-RF Team Affiliate
    2023 -
    Team affiliate for the Mini-RF radar instrument on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
  • Lunar Vertex Co-Investigator
    2022 -
    Co-Investigator for the Lunar Vertex mission.
  • Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) LAMP Team Affiliate
    2020 -
    Team affiliate for the Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) instrument on LRO.
  • Europa Clipper PIMS Science Operations Team
    2024 - 2025
    Member of the science operations team for the Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) on Europa Clipper.
  • Lunar Vertex Magnetometer Instrument Scientist
    2022 - 2025
    Instrument scientist for the Lunar Vertex magnetometer.
  • Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Investigation Team
    2021 - 2023
    Member of the investigation team for NASA’s DART mission.

Publications

  • Variation in Lunar Regolith Space Weathering Relative to Latitude and Wavelength
    2025
    Planetary Science Journal
    Waller, C.D., Cahill, J.T.S., Retherford, K.D., et al. (2025, in review). Variation in Lunar Regolith Space Weathering Relative to Latitude and Wavelength. Planetary Science Journal.
  • Multi-Wavelength Analysis and Geophysical Characterization of Orientale Impact Basin: Insights into Lunar Surface Composition and Structural Properties
    2025
    Planetary Science Journal
    Waller, C.D., Cahill, J.T.S., Rivera-Valentín, E.G., et al. (2025, in review). Multi-Wavelength Analysis and Geophysical Characterization of Orientale Impact Basin: Insights into Lunar Surface Composition and Structural Properties. Planetary Science Journal.
  • The Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) on Europa Clipper: First Light
    2025
    56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
    Luspay-Kuti, A., Crew, A.B., Waller, D., et al. (2025, March 10–14). The Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) on Europa Clipper: First Light. 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, TX. Abstract #2314.
  • Regional Crustal Characterization Trends in the Western Lunar Limb of Orientale and the Outer Feldspathic Highlands Terrain
    2025
    56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
    Waller, C.D., Cahill, J.T.S., Fassett, C.I., et al. (2025, March 10–14). Regional Crustal Characterization Trends in the Western Lunar Limb of Orientale and the Outer Feldspathic Highlands Terrain. 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, The Woodlands, TX. Abstract #2618.
  • Designing a Network of Environmental Monitoring Stations to Combine Lunar Geophysics and Space Weather Investigations
    2024
    American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
    Waller, C.D., Rorschach, K., Stautberg, A., Cahill, J.T.S., Izquierdo, K., Shea, E. (2024, December 9–13). Designing a Network of Environmental Monitoring Stations to Combine Lunar Geophysics and Space Weather Investigations. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Washington, DC.
  • Extended Silicic Volcanism in the Gruithuisen Region—Revisiting the Composition and Thermophysical Properties of Gruithuisen Domes on the Moon
    2024
    Planetary Science Journal
    Kumari, N., Glotch, T.D., Williams, J.-P., ..., Waller, C.D., et al. (2024). Extended Silicic Volcanism in the Gruithuisen Region—Revisiting the Composition and Thermophysical Properties of Gruithuisen Domes on the Moon. Planetary Science Journal. doi:10.3847/PSJ/ad4352.
  • Science Product Pipelines and Archive Architecture for the DART Mission
    2024
    Planetary Science Journal
    Waller, C.D., Espiritu, R.C., Tinsman, C., et al. (2024). Science Product Pipelines and Archive Architecture for the DART Mission. Planetary Science Journal. doi:10.3847/PSJ/ad5959.
  • The Influence of Gravity and Magnetic Fields on Brine Formation and Habitability Across the Solar System
    2023
    Brines Across the Solar System: Ancient and Future Brines
    Burke, P., Waller, C.D. (2023, May 15–18). The Influence of Gravity and Magnetic Fields on Brine Formation and Habitability Across the Solar System. Brines Across the Solar System: Ancient and Future Brines, Reno, NV. Abstract #2012.
  • Ultraviolet and Magnetic Perspectives at Reiner Gamma and the Implications for Solar Wind Weathering
    2022
    Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
    Waller, C.D., Cahill, J.T.S., Retherford, K.D., et al. (2022). Ultraviolet and Magnetic Perspectives at Reiner Gamma and the Implications for Solar Wind Weathering. Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. doi:10.3389/fspas.2022.926018.
  • Magnetometry
    2022
    Encyclopedia of Lunar Science (Springer)
    Waller, C.D., Strauss, B.E. (2022). Magnetometry. In B.M. Cudnik (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Lunar Science (1st ed.). Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6.