Billy Quarles, PhD

I became interested in science from an early age and grew to appreciate astronomy greatly throughout my childhood.  My interest in planets evolved from watching science fiction dramas like Star Trek: TNG and Contact due to their exploratory nature of alien worlds.

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As a graduate student, I discovered that it was possible to have a career exploring alien worlds, no starship required.  From there, I became interested in the dynamics of planetary orbits and the possible origins of planets.

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Today, I am an Assistant Professor at Valdosta State University in the Department of Physics, Astronomy, Geosciences, and Engineering Technology (PAGET).   In my research, I use numerical methods to explore the dynamical nature of planetary systems that orbit single stars like TRAPPIST-1 and those that have more than one stellar host like the Kepler circumbinary planets or the potential for planets orbiting Alpha Centauri AB.