Jessica  Erkal, Ph.D.

Jessica  Erkal , Ph.D.

  • Patent Engineer
  • English
Dr. Erkal is an astrophysicist with over seven years of experience in observational astrophysics research, Python programming and data analysis for astrophysics projects. Her career pursuing innovative peer-reviewed research and working in international, multi-disciplinary teams lends istelf to her work now as a patent engineer. 

Prior to joining OBWB, Jessica worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Astronomy in Honolulu, Hawaii. While there, she collaborated on innovative research with international teams, leading to publications in top-tier journals such as Nature Astronomy. Dr. Erkal co-led outreach events with up to 1000 attendees, enhancing public engagement in STEM through the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii.
Publications
  • McClure M., et al., 2023, ”An Ice Age JWST inventory of dense molecular cloud ices”, Nature Astronomy
  • Erkal J., et al., 2022, ”Helium lines as a probe of winds and accretion in young stars”, A&A
  • Erkal J., et al., 2021, ”Probing jets from young embedded sources: clues from HST near-IR [FeII] images”, ApJ
  • Erkal J., et al., 2021, ”Launching the asymmetric bipolar jet of DO Tau”, A&A
  • Ph.D., Astrophysics - Star Formation, University College Dublin, 2022
  • M.Sc., Space Science and Technology, University College Dublin, 2017
  • B.S., Natural Sciences - Physics & Astrophysics, Trinity College Dublin, 2016