Aaron S. Evans

Aaron S. Evans is the John Downman Hamilton Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Virginia and an Astronomer at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). He works extensively with international collaborations and leads the GOALS (Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey) project, focusing on colliding galaxies and their associated phenomena.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Astronomy, University of Hawaii (1996)
• M.S. in Astronomy, University of Hawaii (1993)
• B.S. in Physics and Astronomy, University of Michigan (1990)

Research Interests center on multi-wavelength observations of galaxy interactions, starbursts, and AGN. He utilizes telescopes like JWST, Hubble, Spitzer, ALMA, and Chandra to study luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs). His work emphasizes the interplay between molecular gas, star formation, and black hole activity in merging systems.

Scientific Awards include the Caroline Herschel Fellowship at STScI, NASA/ASEE Faculty Fellowship, and an NSF Graduate Fellowship. He is also a member of Sigma-Pi-Sigma, a physics honor society.

Collaborations and Professional Service span roles like Chair of Spitzer Space Telescope proposal review panels, Deputy Chair for Chandra panels, and participation in AURA diversity initiatives. He has advised numerous graduate students and contributed to key projects like the Cosmic Crashes article in Scientific American.