I'm a research associate at the University of Bristol, working with Ben Maughan and focussing primarily on galaxy clusters.
Galaxy Cluster Research at the University of Bristol
The galaxy cluster research group at the University of Bristol is led by Professor Ben Maughan. The group has a strong focus on multi-wavelength observational studies of galaxy clusters, primarily using X-ray and optical/near-infrared data. The group is involved in several major galaxy cluster surveys, including the eROSITA all-sky survey, the Euclid mission, and the XMM-Newton Fornax heritage programme.
Research Overview
My research involves the statistical analysis of galaxy clusters using optical and X-ray detection methods. Through combining X-ray data from eROSITA and XMM-Newton with Euclid optical and near-infrared data we explore how feedback processes influence galaxy cluster dynamics. Additionally, we're utilising a Bayesian approach to measure co-variances and address selection biases in large-scale galaxy cluster surveys.
As a part of the Euclid space telescope's galaxy cluster science working group, we aim to apply the forced X-ray aperture photometry approach outlined in Wood et al (2025) to galaxy clusters detected with Euclid. We will take advantage of the large overlapping area between Euclid and eROSITA to explore a the X-ray luminosities of a large sample of optically selected galaxy clusters, alongside the deeper XMM-Newton observations in the Euclid deep fields as part of the Fornax heritage programme. Furthermore, we plan to use X-ray mass proxies to investigate the richness/weak-lensing mass covariance and the mass scale for the Euclid cluster sample.
Further details regarding my research.
Galaxy Cluster Research group:
Within the Galaxy Evolution and Clusters and observational astronomy research areas at the University of Bristol:- Professor Ben Maughan
- Ileana Klein (2025-): PhD student studying galaxy clusters in the Euclid Fornax deep field as part of the Fornax heritage programme.
- Joe Hall (2023-): PhD student investigating the impact of selection methods on measured ICM properties with eROSITA.
- Zoe Altria (2021-25): Completed PhD on modelling covariance in multivariate scaling relations of CHEX-MATE galaxy clusters.
About Me
Having grown up in rural west Wales, I moved to Bristol at the start my Undergraduate degree in Physics in 2015, and stayed on to complete my PhD in Astrophysics in 2023. Following my PhD, I spent a year teaching as part of my PGCE in secondary Science (Physics) at Bristol before returning to my current astrophysics research role in summer 2024.
