Aaron Roodman

Aaron Roodman is a Professor of Particle Physics and Astrophysics at Stanford's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, where he serves as the leader of the LSST Camera program and Deputy Director of the Rubin Observatory for construction. His research bridges experimental particle physics and observational cosmology, with significant contributions to understanding Dark Energy through large-scale astronomical surveys.

Dr. Roodman received his B.S. with Honors in Physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1985 and his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago in 1991. His early career focused on experimental particle physics, studying differences between Matter and antiMatter for two decades before transitioning to astrophysics and cosmology.

Roodman's research primarily centers on observational cosmology, with a focus on Dark Energy studies using data from large optical telescope surveys like the Dark Energy Survey. He has played a major role in the construction of the LSST Camera, the world's largest digital camera, for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. His work combines advanced instrumentation development with cosmological analysis to probe fundamental questions about the universe's expansion and structure.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on large-scale cosmological surveys, particularly the Dark Energy Survey and the upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). His research spans instrumental development for astronomical cameras, data analysis techniques for cosmological parameter estimation, and applications of machine learning to gravitational lensing and supernova cosmology.

• Fellow, American Physical Society, Division of Particles & Fields (2012)

Professor Roodman actively mentors the next generation of scientists, serving as Doctoral Dissertation Advisor for Sydney Erickson and Theo Schutt, Doctoral Dissertation Reader for Sidney Mau and Guillem Megias i Homar, and Postdoctoral Research Mentor for Rebecca Chen. He has held significant leadership roles including Department Chair of Particle Physics & Astrophysics from 2015 to 2020.

He leads major collaborative efforts including the LSST Camera program and is deeply involved with the Dark Energy Survey and Vera C. Rubin Observatory projects. His work brings together large international teams of scientists and engineers to advance our understanding of fundamental cosmic phenomena through cutting-edge observational techniques.