Michael Politano

Michael Politano is an Associate Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences at Marquette University, specializing in theoretical astrophysics with emphasis on interacting binary star systems.

His research focuses on:

• Stellar mergers
• Common envelope evolution
• Post-common envelope binary systems
• Modeling planetary nebula populations containing binary stars

He also develops educational materials as a consultant for McGraw-Hill and Pearson Publishers.

Scientific Awards: None specified in source text.

Research funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium. Mentored undergraduate researchers including a co-author on two major journal publications. Presented findings at international conferences in Mongolia and Armenia; most recent publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters.