Resume Page

Research Interests

My main research interests are in developing experimental methods and precision measurement techniques for observational astronomy. My work thus far has included improving calibration methodologies for extreme-precision stellar spectroscopy and building data pipelines for sensors across astronomy, particle physics, and bio-imaging.

Research History

Research Assistant
Advisor: Prof. Ryan Terrien, Carleton College, Northfield, MN | January 2023 - Current

Characterize temporal and chromatic instrument drift in the NEID extreme-precision radial velocity experiment, including long-term behavior of photonic calibration sources over the instrument’s five-year operational period.
Developed and integrated new calibration algorithms, working with the data reduction pipeline to improve precision and stability in spectroscopic measurements.
Designed and implemented a framework for processing, decimating, and storing large-scale spectral datasets in HDF5 format, enabling efficient archival and high-throughput analysis.

REU Researcher
Advisor: Prof. Richard Gran, University of Minnesota Duluth, MN | January 2026 - September 2026

Fitted existing, and created novel, neutrino cross section parameters to increase the accuracy of neutrino modeling
Developed and evaluated simulation-based corrections addressing detector response and sensor-related systematic effects.
Provided a list of parameters, and additional effects which can be used for future works like DUNE for accurate simulation.

Researcher
Advisor: Dr. Jan Mulder Karolinska Institutet, Sweden | August 2025 - January 2026

Developed a computational pipeline for processing volumetric 3D microscopy datasets, including object segmentation and volume reconstruction for downstream biological analysis.
Implemented instrumental correction methods, including PSF deconvolution and sensor dark-frame calibration.
Applied both statistical and machine learning approaches for automated segmentation of complex biological structures.

Education

B.A. In Physics, Computer Science - Expected June 2027
Carleton College, Northfield, MN

High School - June 2023
Saint Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights, MN

Summa Cum Laude

Research products and selected software

SpecCorrect — NEID Spectral Calibration Pipeline.
Research software package for processing and correcting high-resolution spectroscopic data from the NEID instrument. Developed calibration and data-processing methods for precision radial velocity analysis. GitHub: https://github.com/Thomaslund1/SpecCorrect

DisMlFinal — TESS Machine Learning Classification Pipeline.
Machine-learning framework for identifying exoplanet candidates from TESS data, achieving over 94% accuracy on the validation dataset. GitHub: https://github.com/Thomaslund1/DisMlFinal

Volumetric Imaging and Segmentation of Cardiac Structures.
Manuscript draft describing computational methods for processing, segmenting, and reconstructing volumetric microscopy data. https://thomaslund.net/static/heartScanPaper.pdf

NEID Instrument Drift Analysis
Manuscript in preparation.

Assumptionless Calibration Verification for NEID, first author
Manuscript in preparation.

Teaching, Mentoring, and Outreach

Astronomy Assistant: Teaching, lab assisting and grading for lab-based astronomy courses | 3 years

Astronomy Club President: Leading outreach to the community, including maintaining and using the historic 16” Brashear telescope at Goodsell Observatory | 3 years

Physics Lab Assistant: Teaching and helping with lab practice for a variety of undergraduate physics courses | 3 years Physics Grader: Grading and distributing detailed feedback to undergraduate physics students | 3 years

Theatre Technician: Using a variety of shop tools and physics techniques to design, engineer, and build both set pieces and electronic systems for local and Broadway shows | 9 years

Skills

Programming: Python, Java, C++, Root, HTML, JavaScript

Data and Computing: Database design and management, cloud computing, distributed computing, large-scale data processing, Machine Learning methods

Astronomical Instrumentation: Observatory operations, instrument maintenance, spectroscopic calibration methods, detector characterization

Research Methods: Experimental design, scientific documentation, data analysis, technical communication

Engineering and Design: CAD (Fusion suite, Onshape), Signal electronics design, LTSpice simulation, soldering and basic fabrication.