Eliza Diggins

Eliza Diggins

Theoretical astrophysicist at the University of California Berkeley. Specializing in galaxy cluster dynamics, hydrodynamic simulations, and astrophysical modeling.

Posts by Collection

factposts

portfolio

publications

Constraining Modified Gravity Using Galaxy Cluster Dynamics

Published in University of Utah Marriott Library, 2024

In this work, two branches of modified dynamics - EMOND and MOND plus Dark Matter (MOND+DM) - are challenged using observational and theoretical constraints which emerge from galaxy clusters.

Recommended citation: Diggins, Eliza C. (2024). "Constraining Modified Gravity Using Galaxy Cluster Dynamics." Retrieved from eliza-diggins.github.io http://eliza-diggins.github.io/files/Honors_Thesis.pdf

PyMetric: A Geometry Informed Array Mathematics Package

Published in Journal of Open Source Software, 2026

PyMetric is a lightweight Python library that streamlines differential geometry and vector calculus operations in user-defined coordinate systems, with a focus on applications in astrophysics and computational physics…

Recommended citation: Diggins, E. C., & Wik, D. R. (2026). PyMetric: A Geometry Informed Array Mathematics Package. Journal of Open Source Software, 11(117), 8901. https://joss.theoj.org/papers/10.21105/joss.08901.pdf

Hormonal transitions across the lifespan shape susceptibility to Sjogren’s disease

Published in Rheumatology, 2026

Using electronic health records from over 100,000 patients with Sjogren’s disease and 1.33 million controls, we show that age-dependent hormonal transitions across the lifespan correspond with shifting sex bias in disease susceptibility…

Recommended citation: Diggins, E. C., & Weller, M. L. (2026). Hormonal transitions across the lifespan shape susceptibility to Sjogren's disease. Rheumatology, 65(3), keag087. https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keag087/8489784

talks

The Philosophy of Science and Modified Newtonian Dynamics

Published:

This talk was given in the format of a mini-lecture (45 minutes) to the undergraduate cosmology class at the University of Utah. In it, I described the role that scientific skepticism plays in our work as scientists and described in detail the differences between MOND and the standard CDM cosmological picture. The basic theory of MOND was covered along with its many faults. Some discussion was made as to the successes of MOND and their implications for probing new physics.

Constraining Modified Newtonian Dynamics Using Galaxy Clusters

Published:

This talk was given during the Four-Corners meeting of the American Physical Society (2023) and some of the core findings from my work with galaxy clusters as constraints on modified dynamics. This talk was awarded a speaker’s award at the event.

Encircle Staff Speaker @ Only Love Gala

Published:

On April 26th, 2025, I was honored to speak as a staff member at Encircle’s Only Love Gala, held at Adobe in Lehi, Utah. This wasn’t just a fundraiser—it was a night filled with vulnerability, celebration, and truth-telling from LGBTQ+ youth, families, and community members across the state.

AOT East Bay

Published:

Taking astrophysics on the road—straight into a taproom in Oakland.

teaching

Philosophy of Science

Student Lecture Series Seminar, University of Utah, Department of Physics and Astronomy, 2024

This talk was presented as the inaugural talk in the University of Utah’s Physics and Astronomy Student Lecture Series.