Smita Mathur

Smita Mathur is a Professor and University Distinguished Scholar in the Department of Astronomy at The Ohio State University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She joined the faculty in 1999 and specializes in observational cosmology, AGN physics, and X-ray astronomy. Her work focuses on the circumgalactic/intergalactic medium, black hole accretion, and outflows in active galactic nuclei.

Education:

• Ph.D. 1991, Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• M.S. 1983, Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay

Research Interests: Prof. Mathur’s research explores the thermal state and matter content of the intergalactic medium, with groundbreaking contributions to understanding warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) through X-ray and UV absorption line studies. She investigates AGN phenomena, including narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies and broad absorption line quasars. Recent work focuses on the Milky Way’s warm-hot circumgalactic medium.

Awards:

• University Distinguished Scholar (2024)

Advising/Grants: While specific student names or grant details are not listed, her research has been supported by major funding agencies. She advises graduate students in observational astronomy and cosmology.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Department of Astronomy’s research groups in galactic structure, cosmology, and X-ray astronomy.