Event Details

Active supermassive black holes have a significant and lasting impact on the evolution of their host galaxy, but their origins remain a mystery. Meanwhile massive black holes in dwarf galaxies can help constrain the properties of the initial black hole seeds but their impact on their host galaxies is not well-understood. By studying black holes in both massive and dwarf galaxies, my work provides context for the origin of supermassive black holes and the black hole-host galaxy connection. I will present my work studying the power sources of weakly-accreting black holes in massive galaxies, which demonstrate the importance of feedback. I will then discuss my work searching for black holes in dwarf galaxies, including my new technique using the coronal-line [Fe X]6374. This method identifies lower-mass black holes in vigorously star-forming dwarf galaxies that are inaccessible with traditional optical techniques. Finally, I will discuss my future plans to study black hole feedback in massive and dwarf galaxies, as well as other scientific and DEI-related work I will pursue at Texas A&M.   Zoom, meeting ID 951 9269 3879 (passcode 31415926)