John Piotrowski

About John Piotrowski

My research focus is on the design, development, integration, and commissioning of optical astronomical instruments with a specific interest in multi-object spectrographs.

Experience

1. Matt Johns Instrumentation Fellow

   Observatories Of The Carnegie Institution For Science

   Jun 2022 — Present · Pasadena, CA, US

   In my role as an instrumentation fellow at Carnegie Observatories, my research focuses on the design, development, integration, and commissioning of imaging systems and spectrographs for large ground-based observatories. I primarily work on three instruments: FALCON, ViaSpec, and the GMT Commissioning Camera.FALCON is a high-resolution wide-field slit mask spectrograph for the 6.5m Magellan Baade Telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. My emphasis is on the optical design of fast, wide-field spectrograph cameras covering the ultraviolet to the near-infrared wavelength regime. As the instrument scientist, I work closely with Dr. Stephen Shectman and Dr. Jeff Crane, the instrument co-principal investigators (PIs).The Via Project is a survey designed to probe the nature of dark matter and answer ancillary science questions. The project utilizes two identical spectrographs, referred to as ViaSpec, located at the 6.5m MMT Observatory outside Tucson, Arizona and the 6.5m Magellan Clay Telescope outside La Serena, Chile. As the deputy instrument PI, my work has focused on the optical design of the bench spectrograph and the development of the metrology system that will be used to calibrate the fiber positioner assembly. I work closely with the instrument PI, Dr. Dan Fabricant, and the project PIs, Dr. Ana Bonaca and Dr. Charlie Conroy.The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) Commissioning Camera (ComCam) is an engineering instrument designed to test the fidelity of the GMT adaptive optics system. With the current instrument roadmap, ComCam will be the only photometric imager on GMT for the first-generation of instruments. As the optical scientist, I designed the refractive camera and I provide manufacturing support for the optics.

Education

• Brighton High School

  Regents Diploma with Advanced Designations

  2011 — 2015

• The Johns Hopkins University

  PhD, Physics

• University of Rochester

  B.S. in Optics; Minor in Physics; Minor in Astronomy

  2015 — 2018

Skills

• Public Speaking
• Powerpoint
• Research
• History
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Science
• Volunteer Management
• Fundraising
• Museums
• Observational Astronomy
• Writing
• Microsoft Office
• Editing
• Grant Writing
• Program Development