My thesis research is devoted to understanding solar system dynamics with circumstellar disks present. We have found that simplified disk torques combined with planet-planet scattering are capable of reproducing the observed range in exoplanet orbital eccentricities and semi-major axes (Paper I.) However, our understanding of exactly how a circumstellar disk affects orbital eccentricity is limited by our understanding of the degree to which corotation torques are saturated in the disk (Paper II.)

Currently, I am investigating how the inclusion of MHD turbulence in the disk changes our predictions of orbital element distributions for the extrasolar planets.

Simultaneously, I am investigating the likelihood that terrestrial planets exist in mean motion resonances with gas giants in extrasolar planetary systems. Such configurations are potentially detectable through transit timing variations.

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