Avi Loeb , the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science at Harvard University, is a leading astrophysicist and former Chair of Harvard's Department of Astronomy (2011-2020). He directs the Institute for Theory and Computation (ITC) and the Galileo Project (2021-present), while holding the Sackler Senior Professorship at Tel Aviv University. His research spans cosmology, black holes, interstellar objects, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Education: PhD in Physics from Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1986) Former Positions: Member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (1988-1993) Loeb's research interests include: Gravitational wave detection and interstellar object analysis Simulation hypothesis and cosmic reality Technological signatures beyond the Standard Model His recent publications focus on 3I/ATLAS , gravitational SETI, and AI alignment in space exploration. Awards include being named among TIME's 25 Most Influential People in Space (2012), 14 Most Inspiring Israelis (2020), and ranking #3 in global astronomical impact (2024). He chairs the Breakthrough Starshot Initiative and advises the National Academies' Board on Physics and Astronomy.
Jay Strader is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University, where he serves as Graduate Director for the astronomy PhD program and Associate Chair for astronomy. His research focuses on compact objects, particularly black holes and neutron stars in globular clusters, neutron star binaries in Fermi gamma-ray sources, and intermediate-mass black holes. He has received a Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering and grants from NSF and NASA. His research group includes postdoc Ryan Urquhart, graduate students Thomas Do and Rebecca Kyer, and several undergraduates, with past students like Teresa Panurach (now director of NoVEL Consortium) and Samuel Swihart (NRC fellow at Naval Research Lab). Education: PhD in Astronomy, UC-Santa Cruz/Lick Observatory Awards: Packard Fellowship Collaborations: Member of Rubin Observatory's Stars, Milky Way, and Local Volume science collaboration since 2008 Previous Positions: Hubble Fellow and Menzel Fellow at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (2007-2012) Program Initiatives: Co-founder of PAREDS program for early research opportunities at MSU His work has been supported by NSF and NASA grants, and he has contributed to studies on black holes in M22, hypervelocity globular clusters around M87, and transitional millisecond pulsars. His group collaborates with Laura Chomiuk and contributes to data catalogs like the M31 globular cluster velocity dispersion database.
Sophie Pinkham is Professor of Practice in the Comparative Literature Department at Cornell University and an IES Faculty Associate at the Institute for European Studies. She holds teaching positions in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences, where she contributes to the Russian and Comparative Literature programs, teaching courses including 'The Revolutionary as Author: Autobiography and Political Myth' and 'Writing for the Public: Adapting Academic Work for a General Audience' for Spring 2025. Columbia University (PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures) Harriman Institute (MA in Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies) Yale University (BA) Pinkham's research centers on post-Soviet and post-socialist literature, culture, and politics, with a particular focus on Russia and Ukraine. Her academic interests encompass literature and film of the Russian Empire, Soviet Union, and post-Soviet states; memory politics and post-socialism; environmental humanities; poetics of censorship; language politics and translation; and Siberia. Her current major project is a history of the forest in the Russian imagination, exploring the forest's role in myth, culture, and politics throughout Russian history from Mongol invasions to contemporary conflicts in Ukraine. Her extensive publications reveal consistent thematic trends across disciplines including Russian studies, political analysis, environmental history, and literary criticism. Pinkham's work demonstrates particular expertise in analyzing the intersection of cultural production with political realities in post-Soviet spaces, often highlighting how historical narratives shape contemporary conflicts. Her articles frequently examine how environmental factors, historical memory, and cultural artifacts intersect with political power structures. 2023 British Journalism Award for 'Lost in a Dark Wood' on migrants in the forest on the Belarusian-Polish border Shortlisted for True Story Award for the same article Pinkham has received significant research support, most notably a 2022-23 National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar grant supporting both her book project 'The Oak and the Larch: A Forest History of Russia and Its Empires' and her award-winning Economist 1843 story. Her work bridges academic scholarship and public intellectual engagement, with frequent contributions to major publications serving as a critical voice on Russian and Ukrainian affairs during a period of escalating geopolitical tensions. While she previously worked in international public health in Eastern Europe and Central Asia focusing on HIV, drug use, and women's health, her current focus remains firmly on cultural and political analysis of the post-Soviet space. Though not explicitly affiliated with a specific research lab, Pinkham's work connects with broader scholarly networks through her involvement with Cornell's Institute for European Studies and her interdisciplinary approach that bridges literary studies, history, political science, and environmental humanities.
Kyle Dawson is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah, where he has been employed since 2009. He currently serves as both a full Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, having progressed from Assistant Professor (2008-2015) to Associate Professor (2015-2019) before achieving his current position in 2019. His institutional affiliation places him within the College of Science at the University of Utah, a major research university in the western United States. Dawson earned his BA in Physics from Cornell University in 1998, followed by a PhD in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 2004. After completing his doctoral studies, he served as a postdoctoral researcher at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory before joining the University of Utah faculty. His educational background in physics provided the foundation for his transition into observational cosmology, where he has made significant contributions through large-scale spectroscopic surveys. Professor Dawson's research focuses on observational cosmology through large spectroscopic surveys designed to measure the fundamental properties of the universe. He is currently the co-Spokesperson for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), a major cosmological survey that has produced numerous high-impact publications in 2024-2025. Previously, he served as Principal Investigator for the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), which concluded in 2020 with final cosmological measurements. His work centers on measuring baryon acoustic oscillations to constrain cosmic expansion history, dark energy properties, neutrino masses, and to test General Relativity. His research group employs techniques including galaxy clustering analysis, quasar astrophysics, and large-scale structure mapping to address fundamental questions in cosmology. The analysis of Dawson's recent publications reveals a strong focus on extracting cosmological constraints from the DESI survey data. His work spans multiple aspects of cosmological analysis, including baryon acoustic oscillation measurements, full-shape power spectrum analysis, imaging systematics mitigation, and cross-correlation studies with cosmic microwave background data. The publications demonstrate collaborative work with large international teams and contribute to increasingly precise measurements of cosmological parameters, with particular attention to dark energy equation of state, neutrino masses, and potential deviations from General Relativity. Professor Dawson has secured significant research funding throughout his career, including multiple grants from the Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, and the National Science Foundation. His grant portfolio includes leadership roles in major cosmological surveys like DESI and eBOSS, as well as support for postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. His research group has mentored numerous students who have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and data science fields. Dawson leads a vibrant research group at the University of Utah focused on cosmological data analysis from large spectroscopic surveys. His current team includes two postdoctoral researchers (Angela Berti and Sarah Eftekharzadeh) and a graduate student (Allyson Brodzeller). The group specializes in galaxy clustering analysis, quasar astrophysics, and machine learning applications to spectroscopic data. The research environment fosters collaboration with international teams working on DESI and related cosmological surveys, providing students with opportunities to engage with cutting-edge cosmological research and large-scale data analysis techniques.
Jason E. Ybarra serves as a Teaching Assistant Professor and Director of the WVU Planetarium and Observatory at West Virginia University. His academic home resides within the Astronomy and Astrophysics department, where he integrates observational astronomy with innovative educational practices. As coordinator for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-V) Faculty and Student Team (FAST) program, he bridges research infrastructure with undergraduate development. Dr. Ybarra's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Astronomy from University of Florida (NASA GSRP Fellow) M.S. in Physics from San Francisco State University (co-discoverer of precessing jet evidence) His research spans galactic star formation in regions like the Rosette Molecular Cloud, protostellar outflow dynamics , and physics education with special focus on neurodiversity inclusion . Historical astronomy investigations feature prominently, particularly in rediscovering early variable star observations. His educational philosophy emphasizes neurodivergent accessibility, reflected in publications on inclusive STEM pedagogy. Recent publications reveal interdisciplinary trends merging astronomical research with computational methods (CNN analysis of historical records) and social sciences (neurodiversity studies). The Sloan Digital Sky Survey serves as a unifying thread across observational, educational, and historical investigations. Scientific recognition includes: NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP) fellowship NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium fellowship As an educator, Dr. Ybarra has taught across diverse settings from Davidson College to Drepung Loseling Monastery in India through the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative. His FAST program coordination creates sustained undergraduate research pathways within SDSS-V. Current projects integrate planetarium outreach with neurodiversity-aware instructional design. The WVU Planetarium and Observatory serves as his primary research and educational hub, while SDSS-V provides large-scale collaborative infrastructure. His work uniquely connects historical astronomical practices with modern neuroinclusive education frameworks.
Óscar Andrey Herrera Sancho is a Full Professor at the University of Costa Rica and a researcher at the Atomic, Nuclear and Molecular Sciences Research Center. He holds a PhD in Physics from Leibniz University Hannover and has held roles including Head of the Physical Metrology Department at the National Metrology Institute of Costa Rica. His research spans Quantum Optics, Quantum Biology, Surface Physics, and Educational Physics, with interdisciplinary work in art conservation, biophysics, and cultural heritage science. Education: Postdoc Fellowship, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, University of Innsbruck (2016) PhD in Physics, Leibniz University Hannover (2012) M.Sc. in Physics, University of Costa Rica (2008) B.Sc. in Physics, University of Costa Rica (2003) Research Interests: His work bridges quantum physics with cultural heritage preservation, including material analysis of historical artifacts, fungal biodeterioration studies, and pedagogical innovations linking literature and science. He also investigates surface physics phenomena relevant to astrophysical ice transitions and quantum gas systems. Scientific Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellow Advising & Grants: While specific grants are not listed, his extensive co-authorship network and leadership roles indicate active collaboration in interdisciplinary research. His work on cultural heritage has involved student teams in material analysis and software development for artifact preservation. Labs & Teams: Leads the Spatially Resolved Ultracold Rydberg Physics group at the 5th Institute of Physics, focusing on quantum systems and their applications in precision measurement and cultural heritage science.
Dr. Noam Libeskind is a faculty member and group head of the Cosmography and Large-Scale Structure group at the Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP). He specializes in mapping the Universe's large-scale structure and using these maps to simulate the local environment. His work bridges observational and theoretical astrophysics, focusing on galaxy formation, the Local Group dynamics, and cosmographic reconstructions. He has held professorial positions, including at the Institute of Two Infinities (Université de Lyon-1) until 2021. Current projects include leading trans-national initiatives on cosmic web impacts (with Purple Mountain Observatory) and gravity tests via Local Group simulations (with Polish Academy of Sciences). Libeskind’s research interests include satellite galaxies, matter distribution reconstructions, and alignments of galaxies relative to their environments. His work has been featured in Scientific American and Sky & Telescope , highlighting contributions such as cosmography of the Local Universe and dark matter studies. Key collaborations span institutions like Hebrew University, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, and Durham University. He leads projects like CLUES (Constrained Local UniversE Simulation) and HESTIA (High-resolution Environmental Simulations) to model the Local Universe. His team’s efforts have been recognized, including a 2024 municipal award for organizing impactful scientific meetings. Publications span cosmological simulations, galactic dynamics, and observational cosmology, with a focus on advancing understanding of the Milky Way, Andromeda, and their surrounding structures.
Elena D'Onghia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research focuses on unraveling the dynamical processes that shape the stellar structure of the Milky Way and nearby galaxies using analytical models and high-resolution numerical simulations. She leverages data from the GAIA satellite to study galactic evolution, emphasizing the importance of understanding our cosmic environment beyond the Solar System. University: University of Wisconsin-Madison Department: Astronomy Contact: edonghia@astro.wisc.edu | 4504 Sterling Hall Research Interests D'Onghia's work spans galactic dynamics, stellar structure formation, and interstellar medium processes. She investigates how gravitational interactions, stellar bars, and supernova-driven outflows influence galactic morphology. Her studies often integrate multi-wavelength observations with cosmological simulations to trace the evolution of galaxies like the Milky Way and Magellanic Cloud analogs. Recent Publications Her recent articles highlight galactic disk corrugations, starburst outflows in the LMC, and the role of classical bulges in shaping stellar bars. Collaborative projects include the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and ALMA-based studies of high-redshift galaxies. Scientific Awards 2018-2020 Vilas Associate Professor Research Fellow 2013-2017 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow 2013 Kavli Fellow Frontiers of Science 2009-2012 Keck Fellowship (Harvard) 2005-2006 Max-Planck Research Fellowship
Kerstin Bunte is a Professor of Machine Learning for interdisciplinary data analysis at the University of Groningen, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Bernoulli Institute's Intelligent Systems Group. She holds an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Birmingham and leads the Intelligent Systems Group. Her research focuses on interpretable machine learning, interdisciplinary applications (e.g., astrophysics and biomedical data), and visualization techniques. Research Interests: - Machine Learning - Artificial Intelligence - Explainable AI (XAI) - Interpretable Models - Dimensionality Reduction - Data Visualization - Astrophysical Data Analysis - Medical Imaging Awards & Grants: - DSSC XS funding (2023) - NWO VIDI grant (2020) - Rosalind Franklin Fellowship (2016–present) Advising & Students: Supervised PhD students include Elisa Oostwal, Janis Norden, Matteo Marcantoni, and Petra Awad. Research spans topics like tumor segmentation in medical imaging, astrophysical structure detection, and autonomous navigation systems. Labs & Collaborations: Leads the Intelligent Systems Group, collaborating with institutions like the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick. Work involves interdisciplinary projects combining machine learning with astronomy, biomedical sciences, and robotics.
American University of SharjahUnited Arab Emirates
Dr. Randa Asad serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah (AUS) since 2021, specializing in astrophysical research on galaxy evolution through star cluster analysis. Her work integrates observational astronomy with advanced computational techniques to decode chemical enrichment histories across cosmic time. Education background: PhD in Physics, University of Cincinnati, United States (2012) MS in Physics, University of Cincinnati, United States (2008) BS in Physics, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan (2005) Her research program centers on spectroscopic analysis of star clusters to reconstruct galactic chemical evolution, employing full-spectrum fitting methodologies and machine learning algorithms. She has developed the ASAD (Analyzer of Spectra for Age Determination) framework and secured observing time at premier facilities including VLT, Gemini, and SOAR telescopes. International collaborations include visiting researcher appointments at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Space Telescope Science Institute, and ESO headquarters. Publication trends reveal sustained focus on stellar population analysis since 2014, with recent works (2022-2024) emphasizing machine learning applications for abundance measurements in clusters like NGC 1856. Earlier research established foundational methodologies for age determination through integrated light spectroscopy, consistently targeting the Large Magellanic Cloud as a key laboratory for galaxy evolution studies. Scientific recognition: CAS Excellence in Research Award, AUS (April 2022) Dr. Asad has secured significant observational resources at major telescopes worldwide while maintaining active membership in the International Astronomical Union (since 2016). Her research group conducts observational campaigns to unravel stellar population complexities through spectral analysis, contributing to international efforts in galactic archaeology. The Star Clusters Research Group she leads bridges theoretical modeling with empirical data to decode star formation histories across diverse galactic environments.
Joshua Speagle is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Statistical Sciences and the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Toronto. He is also an Associate Member of the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics and a Member of the Data Sciences Institute. His research lies at the intersection of statistics, astronomy, and computer science, focusing on astrostatistics and data-intensive astrophysics. His research interests include astrostatistics, data science, machine learning, statistical inference, and Bayesian methods. He develops novel statistical learning techniques to extract insights from large, complex datasets, particularly from astronomical surveys. His work emphasizes interpretability, robust inference, and computational efficiency, with applications to galaxy formation, stellar photometry, and 3D dust mapping. The trends in his recent publications reflect a strong focus on interdisciplinary methodologies, particularly in Bayesian inference, nested sampling, and machine learning applied to astrophysical problems. His work consistently bridges theoretical statistics with practical applications in astronomy, emphasizing open-source software and reproducible research. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Dunlap Fellowship Joshua Speagle is deeply committed to mentorship and collaboration. He co-leads the Astrostatistics Research Team (ART) with Gwen Eadie, mentoring students and postdocs across disciplines. He is involved in graduate and undergraduate research programs, including the Astronomy & Astrophysics Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). He teaches courses in statistics and astronomy and serves on committees within the University of Toronto and professional societies such as the AAS, ASA-AIG, and SSC-DSA. He co-leads the interdisciplinary Astrostatistics Research Team (ART), which fosters a collaborative, inclusive environment focused on cutting-edge research at the intersection of statistics and AI. The team emphasizes open and accessible science, releasing open-source tools like dynesty and brutus , and mentoring the next generation of data scientists.
Marina Kounkel is an Assistant Professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of North Florida. Her research focuses on observing dynamics of young stars and investigating the clumpy process of star formation across various scales, from individual stellar systems to the distribution of star-forming regions across the Milky Way Galaxy. Dr. Kounkel's research interests include stellar kinematics, star formation processes, Galactic astronomy, and the analysis of large astronomical surveys. She utilizes data from the Gaia space telescope (measuring positions of over 1.6 billion stars) and spectroscopic surveys like SDSS-V APOGEE to identify kinematically coherent groups of stars that likely formed together from the same molecular cloud. Her work aims to reconstruct the initial conditions that influenced star formation, including events like supernovae, cloud-cloud collisions, and gravitational feedback. Her research program examines how star-forming structures have formed, how they will evolve over time, and what fundamental properties can be inferred from stellar kinematics. She emphasizes the importance of better understanding stellar properties (masses, radii, temperature, rotation rate, magnetic activity) as these parameters allow for more precise age determinations, which in turn enable reconstructions of Galactic history. Featured as cover of 'Sound of Interstellar Space' music album by TRIFID Dr. Kounkel has developed interactive visualization tools for exploring stellar structures, including 2D projections, HR diagrams, and 3D maps of moving groups. She continues to advance our understanding of Galactic archaeology through careful analysis of stellar ages and motions.
Dr. Alex Holman is a Research Fellow at the WA Organic and Isotope Geochemistry Centre, Curtin University, within the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS). His roles include managing isotope ratio mass spectrometry (irMS) instruments and conducting molecular/isotopic analyses of fossil sites like the Rhynie Chert. He holds a PhD from Curtin University, focusing on the Paleoproterozoic 'Here’s Your Chance' deposit's organic geochemistry. Research interests span organic geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, fossil preservation mechanisms, and environmental applications such as food provenancing via stable isotopes. Key projects include analyzing the Permian-Triassic extinction event, petroleum exploration in WA, Brazil, and China, and assessing impacts of emissions on rock art. Publications span diverse topics including dinosaur diets, Devonian plant fossils, asteroid PAHs, and Eocene climate dynamics. Collaborations include industry, government, and international universities. Technical expertise includes pyrolysis, sulfur isotope analysis, and compound-specific isotope techniques.
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.
Josh Speagle is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Department of Statistical Sciences at the University of Toronto. He maintains strong affiliations with the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics, which forms part of Canada's leading concentration of astronomers at the University of Toronto. Dr. Speagle received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2020, establishing a foundation for his interdisciplinary career at the intersection of astronomy and statistics. His educational background bridges these two critical fields for modern data-intensive astronomy. His research focuses on astrostatistics and data science with multi-wavelength, large-area surveys, with specific interests in Galactic structure and dynamics; stars and stellar populations; dust and the interstellar medium; galaxy formation and evolution; scalable inference; and Monte Carlo sampling. Dr. Speagle combines astronomy, statistics, and computer science to analyze billions of stars and galaxies from wide-field imaging and spectroscopic surveys to better understand how galaxies like the Milky Way form, behave, and evolve over time. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on developing and applying advanced statistical methods to astronomical problems, particularly simulation-based inference, Bayesian methodology, 3D dust mapping, and stellar population analysis. His work frequently leverages major astronomical datasets from Gaia, DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Banting-Dunlap Postdoctoral Fellowship Dr. Speagle collaborates extensively with researchers across the University of Toronto's three campuses and internationally. His work has significant implications for understanding galactic evolution and developing statistical frameworks for astronomical data analysis. He contributes to the vibrant research environment at the Dunlap Institute, which includes over 50 faculty, postdocs, students, and staff dedicated to innovative technology, groundbreaking research, and world-class training in astronomy. As a member of the Dunlap Institute community, Dr. Speagle participates in research spanning optical, infrared and radio instrumentation; Dark Energy studies; large-scale structure; the Cosmic Microwave Background; the interstellar medium; galaxy evolution; cosmic magnetism; and time-domain science.
