Abstract: Around 60% of galaxies in the local universe are spiral galaxies. While
some of these have features in their rotation curves due to galaxy-galaxy interactions
and mergers, most spiral galaxies have few features despite the frequency interactions. 
Spiral activity provides a potential mechanism to erase pronounced features in disk galaxy rotation curves through the redistribution of matter and angular momentum. I will examine a set of simulations to examine the growth of disks and the evolution of the mass distribution of these galaxies.  I will also examine current studies of the correlations of disk galaxy spiral morphology and activity with other galactic properties that allow us to estimate other properties of these galaxies and explore trends in galaxy formation and evolution.

Bio: Dr. Berrier received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Hope College in 2002 and then completed his PhD in Physics and Astronomy at the University of California Irvine in 2008. Before coming to UNK he worked at Pomona College in California, the University of Arkansas, the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias in the
Canary Islands, Rutgers University and California Lutheran University. Dr. Berrier's research interests are in cosmology and the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Here is a short interview with Dr. Berrier: https://youtu.be/Ey_RZJV961g