I build adaptive optics systems, which astronomers use on large telescopes to directly image planets outside of our solar system, study our galaxy’s supermassive black hole, and understand the stellar makeup of distant galaxies. The Gemini Planet Imager, the most advanced fielded system dedicated to characterizing exoplanets and planet forming disks, has discovered 51 Eri b and set new records in adaptive optics performance. I also integrated a first-of-its-kind Multi-Object Adaptive Optics testbed for Extremely Large Telescopes at UC Santa Cruz in 2008.