Holden Truman

Holden Truman

Astronomy PhD Student
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

I am a member of Prof. Xin Liu's research group, developing physics-informed deep learning methods for the DeepDISC framework, which focuses on developing end-to-end probabilistic frameworks for source detection, deblending, classification, shear estimation, and photometric redshift estimation directly from imaging data.

I did my undergraduate studies at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, majoring in Computer Engineering. I conducted research in the field of weak-lensing, which sparked my interest in doing graduate work in astronomy.

Outside of my academic work, I enjoy exploring philosophy, watching sports (Bucks, Brewers, Bears, Badgers, and Fighting Illini), spending time outdoors through hiking, listening to a wide range of music with a particular interest in jazz and progressive rock, and playing the piano.

Research Interests
Observational Cosmology
Deep Learning
Computer Vision
Weak Lensing
Galaxy Clusters
Statistical Inference
Education
Aug 2026 - Present

Ph.D. - Astronomy

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Aug 2023 - May 2026

B.S. - Computer Engineering

Milwaukee School of Engineering
Research
Aug 2026 - Present

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Working on the DeepDISC framework, developing physics-informed deep learning methods for source detection, classification, and deblending in astronomical imaging.
May 2024 - May 2026

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Milwaukee School of Engineering
Studied weak-lensing galaxy cluster cosmology under advisors Dr. Adam Wright (MSOE) and Dr. Anja von der Linden (Stony Brook University). Specific projects investigated photometric calibration and the challenge of source blending in ground-based galaxy cluster surveys.
Conference Presentations
Jan 2026
"Utilizing space-based images to quantify and mitigate blending systematics in ground-based galaxy cluster mass measurements"
247th AAS Conference · Phoenix, AZ
Aug 2025
"Leveraging space-based images to identify and distinguish blended sources in ground-based galaxy cluster images"
Rubin Community Workshop · Tucson, AZ
Aug 2025
"Leveraging space-based images to identify and distinguish blended sources in ground-based galaxy cluster images"
Wisconsin Space Conference · Green Bay, WI
Jul 2025
"Leveraging space-based images to identify and distinguish blended sources in ground-based galaxy cluster images"
LSST-DESC Summer Conference · Champaign, IL
Teaching

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Milwaukee School of Engineering
2024, 2026
PHY 1110 Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics
CSC 1120 Data Structures and Graphical Interfaces