William Dawson
About William Dawson
William Dawson is a research scientist specializing in the study of dark matter through weak lensing and various observational techniques. He has a diverse background in physics and engineering, with experience in both academic and industrial settings.
Work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
William Dawson has been employed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory since 2016, where he serves as a Research Scientist. His work involves utilizing weak lensing, X-ray, optical, and spectroscopic observations of merging galaxy clusters to study the properties of dark matter. Prior to his current role, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the same laboratory from 2013 to 2016. His experience at Lawrence Livermore has contributed to advancements in astrophysics and dark energy research.
Education and Expertise
William Dawson holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Davis, which he completed from 2007 to 2012. He also earned a Master's degree in Physics from UC Davis in 2008. Earlier, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Maritime Systems Engineering from Texas A&M University Galveston Campus, graduating in 2002. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his research in astrophysics and engineering.
Background in Engineering and Research
Before his current role in astrophysics, William Dawson worked in the offshore oil industry, where he contributed to the design and development of over five floating offshore platforms, known as SPARS, during his tenure as a Senior Engineering Specialist at Technip from 2002 to 2007. He also served as a Graduate Research Assistant at UC Davis from 2007 to 2013, where he gained valuable research experience.
Contributions to Dark Energy Research
William Dawson is an active member of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) Dark Energy Science Collaboration. His focus within this collaboration is on improving weak lensing measurements, which are critical for understanding dark energy and the expansion of the universe. His involvement in this initiative highlights his commitment to advancing research in cosmology.