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Matt NowinskiView profile

Associate Professor

• Aerospace Engineering
• Asteroid Dynamics
• Machine Learning
• +5 more

Matt Nowinski is a Collegiate Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. His professional roles include advisory board memberships and leadership positions within the department. He holds multiple degrees including a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich (1999), an M.S. in Computer Science from Syracuse University (2022), and prior mechanical/aerospace engineering degrees from Virginia Tech. His research focuses on asteroid dynamics (particularly D-type and V-type asteroids), gas turbine engines, aeroelasticity, and education technology. Notable areas include lightcurve analysis, surface mineralogy modeling, and machine learning applications in astronomy. His work bridges aerospace engineering with astrophysics, leveraging both experimental and computational methods. Dr. Nowinski has over 24 years of industry experience as a Boeing subject matter expert in military communications systems, complemented by academic roles at George Mason University and University of Chicago. He is a recipient of the John Jones Faculty Fellowship and Society of Distinguished Alumni honor. His research contributions span asteroid characterization, turbine blade flutter mechanisms, and telescope instrumentation. Current work emphasizes observational astronomy through the Stone Edge Observatory and Slack-based collaborative platforms. He actively contributes to advancing STEM education through innovative curricula and research integration.

• Dark Matter
• Particle Astrophysics
• Cosmology
• +2 more

Pearl Sandick is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Interim Dean in the College of Science at the University of Utah. She has previously served as Associate Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Associate Dean for Faculty and Research in the College of Science. Her academic journey at the University of Utah began in 2011 as an Assistant Professor, progressing to Associate Professor in 2017, and achieving the rank of Professor in 2022. Her educational background includes: BA in Mathematics from New York University (2003) PhD in Physics from the University of Minnesota (2008) Sandick is a theoretical particle physicist whose research focuses on physics beyond the Standard Model, with particular emphasis on dark matter. Her work spans theoretical modeling, connections to astrophysical observations, and implications for experimental detection. She investigates various dark matter candidates and their potential signatures in current and future experiments, including collider searches, direct detection experiments, and indirect detection through astrophysical observations. Her research also extends to connections between particle physics and cosmology, including early universe phenomena and implications for cosmic structure formation. She has developed computational tools like MADHAT for dark matter analysis and has made significant contributions to understanding how stellar evolution can constrain axion physics. Her scholarly contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards: University of Utah Early Career Teaching Award (2016) University of Utah Distinguished Mentor Award Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women University of Utah Presidential Scholar Sandick has been actively involved in mentoring graduate students, as evidenced by her teaching of PhD thesis research and Master's research courses. She has secured significant research funding from the National Science Foundation and other agencies to support her work on dark matter, dark energy, and new physics. Her grant portfolio includes projects on theoretical particle physics, connections to astrophysical observations, and studies on graduate education reform following a departmental tragedy. She is an active member of the American Physical Society, having served as Chair of the regional Four Corners Section in 2021-2022, demonstrating her commitment to the broader physics community and leadership in her field.

Daniel M. ScolnicView profile

Associate Professor

• Cosmology
• Supernovae
• Dark Energy
• +3 more

Daniel M. Scolnic is an Associate Professor of Physics at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Pratt School of Engineering. His research focuses on cosmology, particularly using Type Ia supernovae and near-infrared observations to probe dark energy and resolve the Hubble tension. Ph.D. (2013), Johns Hopkins University B.S. (2007), Massachusetts Institute of Technology As a leading figure in supernova cosmology, Scolnic works on refining the cosmic distance ladder, studying time-evolving dark energy, and analyzing systematic uncertainties in cosmological measurements. His work leverages data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), Pantheon+ collaboration, and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to address discrepancies in the Hubble constant (H₀) derived from early- and late-universe observations. His recent publications highlight advancements in inverse distance ladder techniques, host galaxy dust modeling, and the role of photometric redshifts in cosmological analyses. Notably, his team's JAGB 2.0 study improves Hubble constant constraints using JWST. Defense Science Study Group (DSSG) Clarivate Most Highly Cited Scientists Fred Kavli Plenary Lectureship Sloan Research Fellowship in Physics Department of Energy Early Career Award Packard Fellowship Scolnic leads major grants from NASA, the Packard Foundation, and the Department of Energy, including a NASA Roman Project Infrastructure Team grant (2023-2028) and a Packard Fellowship (2019-2027) to investigate cosmological tensions. He actively collaborates with the Duke Cosmology Group and contributes to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's High-Latitude Time-Domain Survey.

Kuver SinhaView profile

Associate Professor

• Early Universe Cosmology
• High Energy Particle Physics
• String Phenomenology
• +4 more

Kuver Sinha holds the Carl T. Bush Professorship of Theoretical Physics and is an Associate Professor in the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Oklahoma. His work bridges particle physics, cosmology, and string theory, focusing on the early Universe's first moments. He earned his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2008, advised by Emanuel Diaconescu, and has held postdoctoral positions at Texas A&M and shifted to cosmology/astroparticle physics. His research explores early Universe cosmology, axion searches, dark matter in extreme environments, and the string landscape's implications for SUSY. Recent work emphasizes gravitational waves from phase transitions, primordial black holes, and axion detection via neutron stars. He leads a vibrant group with postdocs (Tao Xu, Fazlollah Hajkarim, Kun-Feng Lyu) and graduate students (Aditi Shahani, Badal Bhalla, etc.). His awards include the Carl T. Bush Professorship. Key collaborations include organizing the 2020/2021 PPC conference and hosting CUWiP 2020. His publications span gravitational wave signatures, dark matter constraints, and string phenomenology. Advising spans over a dozen students/postdocs, with alumni such as Huaike Guo (University of Utah) and Daniel Vagie (industry). Education: Ph.D. in Physics, Rutgers University (2008) Research Interests: Early Universe cosmology, axion physics, primordial black holes, gravitational waves, string landscape

Maria-Rosa CioniView profile

Professor

• Stellar Populations
• Dwarf Galaxies
• Magellanic Clouds
• +4 more

Prof. Maria-Rosa Cioni is a joint professor at the University of Potsdam and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP). As a leading observational astronomer, her research focuses on the formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies, particularly the Magellanic Clouds. She leads major surveys including the VISTA Magellanic Cloud Survey (VMC) and the 1001MC survey within the 4MOST consortium. Her academic journey includes a PhD from Leiden Observatory (2001), postdoctoral positions at ESO and the University of Edinburgh, and prestigious fellowships like the Humboldt and DAAD awards. She currently holds the position of Section Head at AIP and has secured significant funding through an ERC Consolidator Grant (2016). Education: BSc in Astronomy, University of Bologna (1996) PhD in Astronomy, Leiden Observatory (2001) Professional History: ESO Fellow (2001–2005) Lecturer, University of Edinburgh (2005–2007) Senior Lecturer/Reader, University of Hertfordshire (2007–2010) Humboldt Fellowship (2010), DAAD Visiting Professorship (2010–2016) Her research emphasizes stellar populations and the interplay between dwarf galaxies and the Milky Way's halo. Recent work uses machine learning for source classification and Gaia data for dynamical modeling. She collaborates widely on projects like Euclid and SDSS-V, advancing survey techniques and galactic archaeology. Awards: ERC Consolidator Grant (2016), Humboldt Fellowship (2010), DAAD Visiting Professorship Grants & Funding: ERC Consolidator Grant supporting her research group since 2016 Prof. Cioni's lab contributes to cutting-edge facilities like the VISTA telescope and the upcoming Euclid mission. She actively mentors students and leads international collaborations to unravel the cosmic history of dwarf galaxies and their role in galaxy evolution.

• Galaxy Evolution
• Cosmology
• Galaxy Clustering
• +2 more

Dr. Nigel Metcalfe is an Assistant Professor at Durham University, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the Institute for Computational Cosmology. His academic responsibilities include serving on the Laboratories Committee, managing teaching databases, coordinating computer classrooms, and supervising Level 4 projects. He is also an academic adviser and tutor for the Level 3 Problem Solving Computing Course. His research centers on galaxy evolution, cosmology, and large-scale cosmic structures. Key interests include: Deep galaxy counts and clustering analysis Interpreting data through theories of galaxy formation Leading roles in international surveys: Chair of the Pan-STARRS Data Reduction Group, member of VST Atlas and DESI Imaging Validation teams He leverages computational tools to study galaxy distribution and cosmological parameters. Metcalfe's recent publications (2017–2024) focus on: Quasar clustering and dark matter halo mapping Galaxy underdensities (e.g., the 'Local Hole') Pan-STARRS data processing and calibration Machine learning applications in astronomy His work emphasizes survey-based cosmology, instrumentation, and statistical analysis of cosmic structures. He mentors students in computational cosmology and oversees research projects. While no awards are listed, his leadership in major collaborations (Pan-STARRS, VST Atlas) highlights his field impact. Metcalfe co-leads the Durham team within these consortia, focusing on data validation and cosmological inference.

Adam RiessView profile

Professor

• Physical Cosmology
• Dark Energy
• Cosmic Expansion
• +3 more

Adam Riess is a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and Thomas J. Barber Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University's Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, with joint appointments at the Space Telescope Science Institute. His research examines physical cosmology through observations of distance indicators like supernovae and Cepheids, focusing on dark energy and the expansion history of the universe using optical and near-infrared instruments. Educated at MIT (BSc Physics, 1992) and Harvard University (PhD, 1996), Riess leads the SHOES Team improving Hubble Constant measurements and the HIgher-z Team studying distant supernovae. His landmark work on cosmic acceleration earned him the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics and Science magazine's 'Breakthrough Discovery of the Year' (1998). Research Focuses: Observational cosmology through supernovae and Cepheid variables Dark energy properties and cosmic expansion dynamics High-redshift universe exploration with HST and JWST Major Honors: Nobel Prize in Physics (2011) Albert Einstein Medal (2011) MacArthur Fellowship (2008) Gruber Cosmology Prize (2007) Shaw Prize in Astronomy (2006)

Jean-Claude PeckerView profile

Professor

• Astrophysics
• Stellar Astrophysics
• Cosmology
• +3 more

Jean-Claude Pecker (1923–2020) was a renowned French astrophysicist and academic, serving as Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics at the Collège de France (1963–1988). He held pivotal roles in international scientific organizations, including General Secretary of the International Astronomical Union (1964–1967) and President of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) Institute of Astrophysics (1972–1979). His research focused on stellar atmospheres, Cepheid variables, and cosmology, earning him prestigious awards like the Jules-Janssen Prize and Commander of the Légion d'Honneur. Education: École Normale Supérieure (ENS) graduate, PhD in 1950 Leadership: Directed Nice Observatory (1962–1969) and played key roles in UNESCO committees Advocacy: Promoted science education through books, museums, and public outreach He authored influential works on astronomy and the history of science, while balancing artistic pursuits in painting and sculpture. His legacy includes shaping French and global astrophysics through institutional leadership and public engagement.

• Solar Physics
• Stellar Astrophysics
• Antenna Engineering
• +4 more

Diaa Gadelmavla is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Izmir University of Economics, Turkey. He earned his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in 2001, focusing on solar and stellar atmospheric heating by Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves. Research Focus: Solar/stellar oscillations, antenna engineering, RF energy harvesting, and mm-wave systems for 5G/6G applications. Industry Experience: 12 years as a researcher and senior network engineer at University of Heidelberg, Arcor AG, and DB-Telematic GMBH. Publications: 50+ international (SCI) papers, 350+ citations. Recent work includes machine learning applications in geothermal systems, THz antenna arrays, and solar activity cycle predictions. Key Collaborations: Research on chromospheric activity in stars like 55 Cancri and Epsilon Eridani with Prof. Manfred Cuntz. Interdisciplinary Work: Explores natural disaster reduction systems through real-time physical modeling.

• Photometry
• Gravitational Microlensing
• Light Curve Analysis
• +5 more

Professor Jan Pel is a distinguished astronomer at the University of Groningen's Faculty of Science and Engineering, where he specializes in the Astronomy department as part of the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute. With over two decades of research experience, Professor Pel has made significant contributions to the fields of photometry, stellar physics, and astronomical instrumentation. His work has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of Cepheid variables, infrared astronomy, and space telescope technology. Professor Pel's research interests span a diverse range of astronomical phenomena and methodologies. His primary focus lies in Photometry , where he has developed advanced techniques for differential photometry and light curve analysis. He has made substantial contributions to the understanding of Gravitational Microlensing , which has applications in detecting exoplanets and dark matter. His work with the Baade-Wesselink Method has refined our ability to determine stellar distances and radii, particularly for Cepheid variable stars. Professor Pel has also conducted extensive research on Metallicity effects in stellar populations and has utilized the Very Large Telescope for observational studies of the Galactic Bulge . His expertise in analyzing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons has provided insights into the chemical composition of interstellar media. Professor Pel's publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from fundamental stellar physics to cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation. His early work focused on Cepheid variables and the Baade-Wesselink method, establishing precise period-radius and period-luminosity relations. More recently, he has contributed significantly to the development of the Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope, showcasing his transition from pure research to instrumental development. His most recent publication on cloud lightning imaging represents an interdisciplinary expansion of his expertise into atmospheric physics. Collectively, his work spans observational astronomy, theoretical modeling, and instrumental innovation, with a consistent emphasis on precision measurement techniques. Professor Pel has supervised numerous graduate students and research fellows throughout his career, though specific names are not listed in the available documentation. His research has been supported by multiple grants from national and international funding agencies, including collaborations with NASA on the James Webb Space Telescope project and European research consortia focused on stellar astrophysics. Professor Pel is actively involved with the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute's research teams, particularly those focused on stellar astrophysics and instrumentation development. He has been a key contributor to international collaborations including the James Webb Space Telescope project and various European astronomical initiatives. His laboratory work has centered on precision photometric techniques and the development of instrumentation for space-based observatories.

Massimo MarengoView profile

Professor

• Stellar Astrophysics
• Cosmology
• Exoplanetary Systems
• +3 more

Massimo Marengo is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Florida State University (FSU). As a stellar astrophysicist, he specializes in observational studies of variable stars, extrasolar planetary systems, and the structure of the universe. His research leverages data from NASA, National Science Foundation, and European Southern Observatory facilities. Education Ph.D. in Astrophysics (2000), International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA/ISAS), Trieste, Italy Laurea cum Laude in Physics (1993), University of Torino, Italy His research spans three main areas: precise cosmic distance determination using variable stars, stellar population analysis, and extrasolar planetary system characterization. He contributes to understanding dust production in primitive environments, Galactic halo formation, and the chemical composition of RR Lyrae stars through multi-wavelength surveys like GALAH and DUSTiNGS. Recent publications focus on RR Lyrae period-luminosity relations, dust dynamics in symbiotic systems, and JWST-based studies of metal-poor galaxies. Key facilities include Gaia, Spitzer, and Rubin/LSST. Scientific Awards Iowa State University LAS Award for Teaching (2022) Iowa State University Mid-Career Achievement in Research (2015) NASA Group Achievement Award for Spitzer Telescope (2004) Smithsonian Institution Predoctoral Fellowship (1997) SISSA/ISAS Full Graduate Fellowship (1994) Marengo serves as Iowa State University representative to AURA (2016-2022) and co-chair of NASA SAG-10 Galactic Processes. He reviews proposals for NASA's Hubble, SOFIA, and Spitzer programs, and NSF's AST and Mid-Scale Innovations. His work appears in The Astrophysical Journal, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, and other journals.

Andrew C. LaydenView profile

Professor

• Astrophysics
• Variable Stars
• Stellar Populations
• +6 more

Andrew C. Layden is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), part of the College of Arts & Sciences. He holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. from Yale University. His research focuses on astrophysics, particularly photometry and spectroscopy of variable stars in old stellar populations, including RR Lyrae, Cepheids, and long-period variables. Layden’s work emphasizes determining stellar properties, chemical abundances, and kinematics. Education: B.A., Wesleyan University; Ph.D., Yale University Courses Taught: ASTR 1010, ASTR 2010(H), ASTR 3090, PHYS 1010, PHYS 1910, among others. Research Highlights: Studies variable stars in globular clusters and their implications for galactic structure. Develops observational techniques using telescopes like the BGSU 0.5-m telescope and PROMPT in Chile. His publications explore topics such as symbiotic novae, RR Lyrae properties, and stellar populations in metal-rich clusters. Layden mentors students in astrophotography and observational astronomy, with notable projects like rocket-borne camera experiments and student-led deep-sky imaging. He actively engages in departmental leadership and educational outreach through the BGSU Planetarium and observatory.

John LesterView profile

Professor

• Stellar Atmospheres
• Astrophysics
• Optical Interferometry
• +3 more

John Lester is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto, specializing in stellar atmospheres and computational astrophysics. His work bridges observational astronomy with advanced computer modeling to understand stellar physics. Developed modernized versions of the Kurucz ATLAS code (Atlas_ODF, Atlas_OS, SAtlas_ODF, SAtlas_OS) for modeling stellar atmospheres Focus on applying optical/infrared interferometry to study stellar surfaces Research on mass determination in non-binary stars through surface brightness analysis His recent publications focus on limb-darkening diagnostics for FGK dwarfs and red giants, angular diameter corrections, and mass indicators in spherical atmospheres. Former students include prominent astrophysicists like Dimitar Sasselov (Harvard) and Hilding R. Neilson (University of Toronto). The Model Atmosphere Programs section details code restructuring efforts in Fortran 2008.

Francisco Pozo NunezView profile

Researcher

• Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)
• Supermassive Black Holes
• Accretion Disks
• +5 more

Dr. Francisco Pozo Nunez is an astrophysicist based in Heidelberg, Germany, specializing in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and supermassive black holes. Since 2014, he has focused on accretion disks, broad-line regions (BLR), and dust distributions in AGN environments using multiwavelength observations from X-ray to infrared. His work combines photometric reverberation mapping with machine learning techniques to resolve AGN structures and determine black hole masses, while also addressing observational challenges in upcoming surveys like LSST. Key Research Areas: AGN variability, reverberation mapping, accretion disk modeling, dust torus geometry, cosmological parameter estimation Instrumentation: Automated photometric pipelines, narrowband filter design, robotic telescope operations Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding continuum time delays in AGN, optimizing LSST cadence for accretion disk studies, and developing novel methods like the FRADO BLR model. His work has implications for cosmology, including Hubble constant determination. He has contributed to major surveys like EURONEAR and ZTF, and his 2019 Nature Astronomy article provided direct evidence of non-disk optical continuum emission around active black holes.

• Galactic Astronomy
• Stellar Populations
• Chemical Abundances
• +3 more

Puragra Guhathakurta is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California Santa Cruz, where he has held a continuous faculty position since November 1994. His research focuses on galactic structure and evolution through detailed studies of stellar populations in the Milky Way, Andromeda (M31), and Triangulum (M33) galaxies using multi-wavelength surveys. His educational background includes: PhD and MS in Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University (1985-1989) Physics, University of Calcutta, Science College, Rajabazar (1984-1985) BSc in Physics, Saint Xavier's College, Kolkata (1980-1983) La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata (1970-1980) GuhaThakurta's primary research interests encompass: Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy Stellar Populations and Chemical Abundances Galactic Structure and Kinematics Chemical Evolution of Galaxies Stellar Halos and Tidal Streams Dwarf Galaxy Dynamics Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a consistent focus on chemical abundances and kinematics in nearby galaxies. His work integrates Hubble Space Telescope imaging, ground-based spectroscopy, and Gaia astrometry to investigate weak CN absorption features in evolved stars, stellar halo structures, and the evolutionary histories of dwarf galaxies. A significant theme involves using resolved stellar populations to constrain galaxy formation models in the local universe. His major professional recognitions include: Hubble Fellowship (Princeton University, 1992-1994) Three-year Membership at the Institute for Advanced Study (1989-1992) While specific details of his advising and grant history are not documented in the source material, his extensive publication record demonstrates sustained research leadership. He is a principal investigator or key collaborator in major observational programs including SPLASH, PHATTER, HALO7D, and TREX, which have produced foundational datasets for studies of M31 and M33.