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Brief Bio

Dr. Kay  is a PHaSER researcher working in the Solar Physics Laboratory of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and affiliated with Community Coordinated Modeling Center at NASA Goddard.

She has developed and implemented innovative models to improve the forecast of coronal mass ejection impacts, starting with their early propagation in the lower solar corona, extending out to their detection in the solar wind. These are described in a series of well-known papers. She also recognized the importance of validation and characterization of a model to make it operational, so that it can be used by forecasters. For this purpose, she spearheaded efforts to implement and test these new space weather model forecasting technologies. Another of Dr. Kay’s contributions is her investigations into the role of CME impacts affecting exoplanets. Just as coronal mass ejections affect planets in our own solar system, there is a growing respect for the role of space weather in determining habitability in other planetary systems.

Education
  • Ph.D. Astronomy, Boston University, Boston, MA
  • M.A. Astronomy, Boston University, Boston, MA
  • B.A. Physics and Astronomy, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
CCMC Responsibilities
  • Development and validation of coronal mass ejection (CME) models
  • Coronal dynamics of CMEs
  • Interplanetary CME propagation
  • Magnetic structure of CMEs
  • Space weather ensemble modeling
  • Space weather system analysis
Awards
Dr. Christina Kay of the Catholic University of America and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is the recipient of the prestigious Alexander Chizhevsky Medal (2018). The medal is awarded to a young researcher for outstanding achievements in space weather or space climate with an innovative approach.