Kathlynn Simotas

Program Year:

University:

University of California, Santa Barbara

Field of Study:

Astrophysics

Advisor:

Joseph Hennawi

and Lars Bildsten

Degree(s):

M.A. Music, Science, and Technology, Stanford University, 2022; B.S. Physics with Honors, and B.A. Music, Stanford University, 2021

Practicum Experience(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2025)

Practicum Supervisor(s):

Zarija

Lukic

Practicum Title:

Radiative Transfer & Foundation Models for the Nyx Cosmological Code

Annual Program Review Abstracts

Fellow Poster

: DOE CSGF 2026: Kathlynn Simotas — Fellow Poster (

2026

)

Fellow Poster

: 3D Hydrodynamical Simulations of Supernova Outflows (

2024

)

Publications

Simotas, K., Bildsten, L., & Prust, L. J. (2025). Wakes from Companion Interactions in Type Ia Supernovae Nebular Emission Line Profiles. The Astrophysical Journal, 994(1), 23.
Marshak, N. X., Simotas, K., Lukic, Z., Park, H., Ahrens, J., & Johnson, C. R. (2025). Nyx-RT: Adaptive Ray Tracing in the Nyx Hydrodynamical Code. Accepted to The Astrophysical Journal. arXiv:2512.12466.

In prep:
Simotas, K., Marshak, N. X., Lukic, Z., Hennawi, J.(2026). Nyx-RT II: Photoheating and Temperature Evolution of the IGM in the Nyx Hydrodynamical Code. In prep for submission to The Astrophysical Journal.

Awards

Departmental Honors in Physics Stanford University, 2021
UC Santa Barbara Chancellor's Fellowship 2023-present
Department Service Award UC Santa Barbara Physics Department 2026