The origin and evolution of heavy elements in the Universe

One of the most exciting research fields in astronomy is the study of the origin of the elements. Australian science has a strong tradition in the fields of stellar astrophysics and chemical evolution; fields that are intimately tied to stellar nucleosynthesis. This project will provide vital theoretical support for the new multi-million dollar observational instruments being built in Australia to study these processes. My aim is to create theoretical models of red giant stars to understand the important role these objects had in determining the chemical makeup of the Galaxy at the earliest times. Expected outcomes include accurate models of stars and of element production, and new insights into the chemical evolution of the Universe.