An extensive experience (36 years) and flexibility in development, build, and test of cutting-edge instruments for space and ground-based projects, including design of world-largest solar telescope with adaptive optics, electronic, mechanical, and optical modules for Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV), visible light, and infrared spectral bands. Self-motivated, team-worked, and detail-oriented professional in creating hardware and software for a wide range of scientific and technical applications.

 

EDUCATION

Ph.D. In Heliophysics and Physics of Solar System, Main Astronomical Observatory of Ukraine, Kiev, 1990.

Engineering Diploma (MS in electronics) with the highest distinction, Lviv Polytechnical Institute, Ukraine, Lviv, 1970.

Middle and High School Diploma with a Gold Medal, Ruzhychanka, Ukraine, 1965. 

 

PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

University of Southern California (USC): Research Scientist (06/2004 - current time)

• Development of an advanced model of the EUV Optics-Free Spectrometer (OFS). The new developed OFS includes 9-electrode electron beam focusing system with substantially higher than in prototypes signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution. Results of this work were presented on the Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) Meeting (San Jose, 2005) and published in the SPIE Proceedings 5677, and 5898 (2005).
• Work on the "Micro-Light" Project, a novel EUV spectrometer based on two transmitting gratings. Development of an optical configuration suitable for detecting a number of spectral bands of interest without alignment of the detectors and with the minimal contamination from the higher orders of diffraction gratings. Proposed and team-worked on testing the spectrometer’s white light rejection at the 60-Foot Solar Tower of the Mount Wilson Observatory. Results of this work are very promising for building new “Nano-Light” instruments. We plan to publish the results soon.
• Developed a new method for extraction of high-energy protons from small (dark) areas outside the solar disk images using the Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) aboard the SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The results of this work were published in Astron. Nachr. / Astronomical Notes (2006).
• Analyzed proton spectra and dispersion characteristics for relativistic protons from some extreme solar flares. Results were presented on the SDO/EVE calibration and science Workshop (Warner Springs, 2005) and on the SDO Science Working Group Meeting (Monterey, 2006).
• Proposed and developed program for correction of SOHO CELIAS/SEM EUV measurements saturated by extreme solar flare events (to be published, 2006).
• Started to work on calibration of Solar EUV Monitor SEM/SOHO and Extreme ultraviolet Solar Photometer (ESP) for the future NASA SDO mission.

Big Bear Solar Observatory of NJIT: Research Scientist (03/2000 - 04/2004)

• Developed software for controlling a Correlation Tracker (CT) - an important module of any Adaptive Optics system. Tested optical, electrical and mechanical components of CT for improving of its performance. The results of this work were presented at a National Solar Observatory (NSO) Meeting (Sacramento Peak, 2001) and may be found at http://www.bbso.njit.edu/~leonid/CT/
• Team-worked for creating an optical design for a high-degree Adaptive Optics system under a joint NSO-BBSO Adaptive Optics Project. The results were published in SPIE Proc. 4853 (2003).
• Proposed an optical design for a New Solar Telescope (NST), including design of off-axis 1.6 m solar telescope and high-order Adaptive Optics system. The results were published in SPIE Proc. 5171 (2004) and other Journals.
• Developed an optical design for a new EarthShine telescope. The telescope was built and is under operation for more than 3 years.
• Studied thermal and mechanical issues for active 1.6 m primary mirror of the NST.
• Team-worked for an Optical Support Structure for the NST with high internal resonant frequencies through modeling and optimization with ANSYS and SOLID WORKS.
• Proposed and developed three special systems for maintaining alignment of secondary mirror of the NST. They should maintain correct focusing, centering and tilting of the secondary mirror with high sensitivity and accuracy (20 um, 20 um, and 10 arc sec, correspondingly).
• Studied and developed the NST alignment issues, taking into account its much narrower tolerances than standard for any on-axis telescope.

Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine): Science Deputy Director (1996-2000)

• Developed a number of new algorithms for data reduction under a joint USC-Crimean Observatory (CrAO) helioseismology project. The results were published in SOHO-GONG Proceedings.
• Coordinated scientific plans and everyday work for three major laboratories of the CrAO: Solar Physics, Experimental astrophysics and High-Energy Laboratory as well as Mechanical and Optical Workshops with a staff of about 110 scientists, engineers and workers.
• Organized and led a working group for discussing optical and mechanical issues for International Space Project "Spectrum-UV" - a 1.7 m stellar telescope.
• Developed a system for maintaining alignments of the Spectrum-UV space telescope. The results were presented at IAU Symposium (The Haag, 1995).

Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine): Senior Scientist (1990-1996)

• Developed an inductive sensor with 0.01 um accuracy for using in Adaptive Optics and control systems.
• Studied some Adaptive Optics components, including piezo and magnetostrictive actuators. The results were used to design the primary mirror support and control system.
• Team-worked on a multi-segmented primary mirror for the adaptive stellar telescope AST-1200.
• PI (from Crimean site) of joint Mt. Wilson- CrAO high-degree helioseismology network led by USC Prof. Ed Rhodes. The Project has been worked at CrAO since 1995.

Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine): Research Scientist (1987-1990)

• PhD Diploma in 1990.
• Studied solar oscillations using original instruments based on photodiode arrays. The results were published in a number of Journals.

Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine): Lead Engineer (1980 - 1987)

• Developed a few high-precision solar photometers based on photodiode arrays.

An observing site in Patakamaya (Bolivia): Chief Observer and Site Manager (03/1978 - 10/1978)

• observation and studying some low-orbit (atmosphere) satelites.

Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine): Senior Engineer (1975-1980)

• Developed computer-based systems for data acquisition and control on the largest in Europe Solar Tower Telescope BST-1.
• Built and tested two major modules for astronomical data acquisition and data flow control for a space telescope "ASTRON".

A Computer Plant in Kamenets Podolsky (Ukraine): Engineer (1970-1975)

• Developed a system interface for connecting hard disks to a small computer.