Find Academic Supervisors

Matthew W. Kunz is an Associate Professor of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University, serving as Associate Chair of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences and Director of Graduate Studies for the Program in Plasma Physics. He holds a B.S. in Astronomy-Physics and B.A. in Music from the University of Virginia (2003), and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2009). His research focuses on astrophysical plasma dynamics, including instability, turbulence, and transport in weakly collisional and poorly ionized plasmas, with applications to galaxy clusters, accretion disks, and the solar wind. Dr. Kunz's work employs analytical and numerical methods to study multi-scale plasma dynamics, aiming to understand angular momentum transport in accretion disks, kinetic turbulence cascades, and magnetic field evolution. His research has been recognized with several awards, including an NSF CAREER Award (2020-25), Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2017-20), and NASA Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011-14). He teaches courses on plasma astrophysics (AST 521), irreversible processes in plasmas (AST 554), and astrophysical research methods (AST 303). His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on plasma turbulence, magnetic reconnection, and cosmic ray propagation, with recent work emphasizing collisionless plasma dynamics and high-energy astrophysical phenomena.

• Astrophysical plasma dynamics
• Instability and turbulence in plasmas
• Transport in weakly collisional plasmas
• +2 more

Paul Wiegert is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Western Ontario , where he has been since 1996 after positions at York University and Queen's University. He is a member of the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration (IESX) and the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX) . His research spans asteroid dynamics , exoplanet systems , and celestial mechanics , with notable work on Earth co-orbital asteroids like (3753) Cruithne and Earth's first Trojan asteroid 2010 TK7. Education : PhD in Astronomy (University of Toronto, 1996) Research Domains : Planetary Science, Astronomy, Big Data Analytics His recent publications focus on interstellar transport mechanisms , asteroid impact risks , and exomoon detection . Key findings include quantifying risks from asteroid 2024 YR4's potential lunar impact and demonstrating the feasibility of detecting alpha Centauri-origin material in our solar system. He actively supervises graduate students like Cole Gregg and participates in NSERC-funded summer research programs for undergraduates. For planetary defense, he has analyzed collision probabilities for Apophis and developed meteoroid hazard models for spacecraft. His work appears in Planetary Science Journal , Nature Astronomy , and Astrophysical Journal Letters , with media coverage in 60+ outlets and 126 X (Twitter) mentions .

• Planetary Science
• Astronomy
• Celestial Mechanics
• +6 more

Alec M. Wodtke serves as Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry and holds a Professorship at the University of Göttingen. He leads the Dynamics at Surfaces research group, which employs cutting-edge laser, molecular beam, and ultrahigh vacuum technologies to study molecular interactions at interfaces. His research focuses on understanding the fundamental rules governing energy conversion at molecular interfaces. Wodtke's work bridges macroscopic energy conversion phenomena with molecular-scale processes, investigating how energy transfers occur one molecule and one collision at a time. His group specializes in designing well-defined experiments that capture molecules in the act of reacting, providing benchmark measurements for theoretical advances in surface chemistry. Recent research trends show a strong focus on ultrafast molecular dynamics, with significant contributions to understanding hydrogen-graphene interactions, energy dissipation mechanisms at surfaces, and atomic-scale reaction kinetics. His work has important implications for developing heterogeneous catalysts, photovoltaics, and fuel cell technologies. Alexander von Humboldt Professorship (2011) ERC Synergy Grant worth 12 million euros (2024) Ertl Lecture Prize (2022) Somorjai Visiting Miller Research Professorship Moore Distinguished Scholar at Caltech Wodtke directs multiple project groups including Atom-surface scattering dynamics, Chemical dynamics using ultra-short atom pulses, First-principles simulations of molecule-surface dynamics, and Time-resolved spectroscopy of surface adsorbates. His research team has secured significant funding including Advanced ERC Grants and operates specialized facilities for surface science research.

• Surface Chemistry
• Molecular Dynamics
• Energy Conversion at Interfaces
• +3 more

Susan E. Clark is an Assistant Professor of Physics at Stanford University, where she investigates cosmic magnetic fields, magnetohydrodynamic processes, and the interstellar medium (ISM) through observation, simulation, and analytic theory. Prior to Stanford, she was a NASA Hubble Fellow and postdoctoral member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, after earning her Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Columbia University (2017) and B.S. in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012), supported by a Morehead-Cain scholarship. Education: Ph.D., Astrophysics, Columbia University (2017) — NSF Graduate Fellow B.S., Physics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012) — Morehead-Cain scholarship Her research focuses on Galactic and extragalactic magnetism, interstellar turbulence, star formation, and polarized cosmological foregrounds. She leads an interdisciplinary group tackling these problems via observational data, numerical simulations, and machine learning techniques. Current projects include characterizing magnetic field alignment, modeling 3D ISM structure, and analyzing data from experiments like the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, Simons Observatory, CMB-S4, CCAT-Prime, LiteBIRD, and the Galactic Australian SKA Pathfinder (GASKAP). Recent publications highlight her work on dust filament misalignment, HI morphology for gas phase separation, equipartition magnetic field estimation, and tomographic MHD simulations of galactic magnetic fields. These studies integrate astrophysics, computational methods, and observational astronomy to decode the universe's magnetic structure and dynamics. Scientific Awards: Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship NSF Graduate Fellowship NASA Hubble Fellowship Clark co-founded the Pan-Experiment Galactic Science Group and co-directs Stanford's Center for Decoding the Universe, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Her lab includes postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates, with alumni transitioning to roles in academia and industry. Funding comes from NSF, NASA, and the Sloan Foundation.

• Cosmic Magnetic Fields
• Interstellar Medium
• Astrophysical Magnetic Fields
• +6 more

Professor LIU Kaijun is a distinguished space plasma physicist currently serving as Professor and Deputy Head of Department at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. He previously held academic positions at Auburn University in Alabama, USA, where he was promoted from Assistant Professor (2012) to tenured Associate Professor (2017). His career includes significant research experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Finnish Meteorological Institute following completion of his doctoral studies. 2007: Ph.D. in Space Plasma Physics, Cornell University 2002: M.S. in Space Physics, Peking University 1999: B.S. in Space Physics, Peking University Professor Liu specializes in theoretical and computational space plasma physics, with particular expertise in plasma instabilities and wave-particle interactions in Earth's radiation belts. His work also encompasses pickup ion dynamics in the heliosphere and solar wind-planet interactions. His research employs advanced computational techniques including particle-in-cell simulations and linear stability analysis to understand fundamental plasma processes. Analysis of Professor Liu's publication record from 2015-2018 reveals a consistent focus on electromagnetic wave phenomena in space plasmas, particularly examining Bernstein instabilities, Alfvén-cyclotron waves, and magnetosonic waves. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between theoretical plasma physics, computational modeling, and spacecraft observations, with significant contributions to understanding radiation belt dynamics and heliospheric plasma processes. National-level Leading Talent (2019) Professor Liu has established a robust research program with extensive collaborations across international institutions including Los Alamos National Laboratory, NASA missions, and various universities. His work has been supported by research grants enabling advanced computational studies of space plasma phenomena. He advises graduate students in space physics and leads research projects investigating fundamental plasma processes relevant to space weather prediction and heliospheric physics. Professor Liu directs a computational plasma physics research group at SUSTech's Department of Earth and Space Sciences, utilizing high-performance computing resources to simulate complex plasma phenomena in Earth's magnetosphere and the heliosphere. His team collaborates with observational space physics groups to validate theoretical models against spacecraft measurements from missions including Van Allen Probes and THEMIS.

• Space Plasma Physics
• Theoretical Plasma Physics
• Computational Plasma Physics
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Michael Kramer is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Manchester and a Scientific Member (Managing Director) at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy. He leads the COMPACT Research Group and specializes in radio astronomical fundamental physics. University of Manchester: Professor for Astrophysics Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy: Managing Director, Radio Astronomical Fundamental Physics Research Interests: Dr. Kramer focuses on pulsars , neutron stars , and gravitational physics , using these as tools to test general relativity , detect gravitational waves , and study transients in the Milky Way. Recent Research Trends: His 15 most recent publications emphasize fast radio bursts (FRBs) , axion dark matter searches , black hole imaging , and pulsar timing arrays for gravitational wave detection. Studies include the M87 jet, Galactic Center magnetars, and MeerKAT telescope optimizations.

• Pulsars
• Neutron Stars
• Gravitational Physics
• +6 more

Prof. Adam Deller is a Professor at Swinburne University of Technology, affiliated with the School of Science, Computing and Emerging Technologies. His academic journey includes a BSc, BE (1st class honours), and PhD in Astrophysics from Swinburne. He specializes in radio interferometry, neutron star physics, fast radio bursts (FRBs), and space domain awareness. His research focuses on compact objects like pulsars and black holes, using radio telescopes for high-resolution imaging. He co-founded Fourier Space Pty Ltd, developing signal processing solutions for radio astronomy and space industries. **Research Interests**: Radio interferometry instrumentation, neutron star magnetospheres, FRB localization and cosmological applications, and space domain awareness through radio observations. **Awards**: Includes the Pawsey Medal (2020), Newcombe Cleveland Prize (2022), and multiple grants from ARC and industry partners. His grants focus on SKA pulsar timing, FRB studies, and gravitational wave astronomy collaborations. **Teaching**: Teaches Computational Astrophysics, emphasizing numerical simulations for astrophysical problems. **Grants & Collaborations**: Key roles in ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery, SKA pulsar timing projects, and international telescope collaborations like ASKAP and VLBI networks.

• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Radio Astronomy
• +5 more

Martin Rey is a Lecturer in the Department of Physics at the University of Bath, specializing in theoretical astrophysics with a focus on galaxy formation and evolution. His research employs advanced computational methods to investigate fundamental questions about dark matter, star formation, and cosmic structure. His primary research interests include: Modeling the formation and co-evolution of stars, galaxies, and cosmic structures Using supercomputers for detailed fluid dynamics models of galaxies Investigating the nature of dark matter and its distribution Exploring the formation of the first stars and early universe processes Understanding how chemical elements permeate the Universe Dr. Rey's research portfolio reveals a strong concentration in Dark Matter Physics (100%), Dwarf Galaxy Physics (80%), Galactic Evolution Physics (74%), and Stellar Mass Physics (63%). His recent publications demonstrate expertise in radiation-hydrodynamics simulations, particularly through the EDGE project framework, which examines various aspects of dwarf galaxy physics and dark matter distribution. His notable scientific achievements include: Christopher Skinner Prize for outstanding PhD research (2020) Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (awarded December 7, 2024) Beecroft Fellowship (awarded September 1, 2021) Dr. Rey is actively engaged in research leadership as Co-Principal Investigator on the MEGATRON project (2023-2028) and Engineering Dwarf Galaxy project (2019-2027), and as Co-Investigator on the Vintergatan project (2020-2025). He serves as a peer reviewer for prestigious journals including Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Astronomy & Astrophysics, and The Open Journal of Astrophysics, and regularly presents at international conferences such as his Maynooth University seminar (November 2024) and First Galaxies conference (April 2025).

• Astrophysics
• Theoretical Astrophysics
• Galaxy Formation
• +6 more

James McKee is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Union College in Schenectady, NY, specializing in radio astronomy of neutron stars and pulsar timing for gravitational wave detection since 2024. His work leverages international telescope networks to study extreme cosmic phenomena. Education: B.Sc. in Physics with Astrophysics, University of Hull (2010-2013) Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Manchester (2013-2017) Dr. McKee's research centers on pulsar timing arrays to detect nanohertz gravitational waves from supermassive black hole binaries, using pulsars as cosmic clocks. He investigates interstellar medium turbulence through radio signal dispersion and scattering, and explores connections between giant pulses in pulsars and fast radio bursts . His methodology combines decades-long observational data with advanced scintillometry techniques. His 2022 study on pulsar B1133+16 demonstrates his innovative approach, using 34 years of Arecibo data to map six discrete interstellar scattering screens within 372 parsecs, achieving sub-parsec precision for structures as close as 5.46 parsecs from Earth. Dr. McKee actively engages in public outreach through talks at events like WOMAD Music Festival 2024 and media appearances including BBC Radio Humberside. He secured University of Manchester Library funding to digitize 50 years of Jodrell Bank Observatory logbooks and consulted for the award-winning Moscow Planetarium documentary Colorful Universe . He collaborates with major international consortia: North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav), Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME), New Extension in Nançay Upgrading LOFAR (NenuFAR), European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA), and International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA).

• Radio Astronomy
• Pulsars
• Gravitational Waves
• +3 more

Emmanuel Fonseca is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University (WVU), joining in Fall 2021. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University (2016–2021) and completed his Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of British Columbia (2016). His research focuses on radio astronomy, particularly pulsars and fast radio bursts (FRBs), leveraging facilities like CHIME, the Green Bank Telescope, and NANOGrav. He specializes in using pulsars as laboratories for testing fundamental physics and detecting gravitational waves via pulsar timing arrays. Education: Ph.D. in Astronomy, University of British Columbia (2016) M.Sc. in Astronomy, University of British Columbia (2012) B.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy, Pennsylvania State University (2010) Research Interests: Emmanuel’s work spans three key areas: Compact Objects: Investigating neutron stars and extreme environments using pulsar binaries and relativistic dynamics. CHIME Pulsar/FRB Science: Developing instrumentation and analyzing data from the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment to study FRBs and pulsars. Gravitational Waves: Contributing to NANOGrav’s efforts to detect nanohertz gravitational waves via millisecond pulsar timing arrays. Collaborations: He is a core member of NANOGrav and instrumental in maintaining CHIME’s pulsar and FRB backend systems. His work bridges hardware/software development with observational astronomy. Labs/Teams: Involved with the CHIME/FRB Collaboration and the NANOGrav Collaboration, advancing both observational infrastructure and theoretical astrophysics.

• Radio Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Neutron Stars
• +3 more

Dr. Hope Michelsen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, specializing in Thermo Fluid Sciences and Air Quality. Her research focuses on carbonaceous particle formation mechanisms, combustion diagnostics, and their environmental impacts. She leads efforts in developing laser/X-ray-based diagnostic tools for studying soot evolution in flames and atmospheric systems. Research Interests include soot inception/growth, black carbon climate effects, and particle synthesis control. She has pioneered studies on resonance-stabilized radicals' role in soot formation and developed novel sampling techniques like jet-entrainment methods. Her work bridges fundamental combustion science with practical applications in air quality and climate mitigation. Awards: Fellow, American Physical Society Fellow, The Optical Society Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee Lab facilities include advanced diagnostics at ECME 1B68/ECNW 180. Research collaborations involve multi-scale modeling of emissions and atmospheric transport. Current projects address wildfire soot dynamics and Arctic methane monitoring through inverse modeling techniques.

• Combustion Science
• Thermo Fluid Sciences
• Air Quality
• +4 more

Professor Tara Murphy serves as the Head of School of Physics at the University of Sydney and is a Chief Investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery. Her leadership position within one of Australia's premier academic institutions places her at the forefront of astronomical research and academic administration in the field of physics. Professor Murphy's research focuses on extreme astronomical objects that change rapidly on human timescales, specifically in the domain of radio transients. She leads the Variables and Slow Transients (VAST) project on the Australian SKA Pathfinder Telescope, where her team aims to detect radio emission from distant explosive events such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, as well as objects in our local neighborhood like flaring stars and potentially exoplanets. Her work aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strengths in Understanding the Universe, Fundamental Laws of Nature, Earth and Space Exploration and Technologies, and Data and Decisions. She has pioneered radio follow-up of gravitational wave events detected by LIGO, achieving the first detection of radio emission from a binary neutron star merger GW170817. Analysis of Professor Murphy's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on radio transient phenomena, gravitational wave follow-up observations, and the development of survey techniques using the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP). Her work spans multiple astronomical subfields including pulsar astronomy, tidal disruption events, fast radio bursts, and gamma-ray burst afterglows. The VAST survey and RACS (Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey) projects form the backbone of her observational work, with numerous publications detailing discoveries of new radio transients, pulsars, and other variable phenomena. Professor Murphy actively mentors the next generation of astronomers, currently supervising multiple PhD students including Ashna GULATI, Qichen HUANG, Mali LAND-STRYKOWSKI, Joshua LEE, Vasudev MITTAL, Oliver OAYDA, Kovi ROSE, and Kavya SHAJI. Her students work on diverse projects ranging from radio follow-up of gravitational wave events to testing the cosmological principle and searching for unusual radio transients. Her research program is closely tied to major astronomical facilities including the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery. Through her leadership of the VAST project and Australian efforts in gravitational wave follow-up, she has established a significant research team focused on time-domain radio astronomy, contributing substantially to our understanding of the dynamic radio sky.

• Radio Astronomy
• Gravitational Wave Astronomy
• Transient Astrophysics
• +5 more

Charles Telesco is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida, where he established the Astronomical Instrumentation Program in 1995. He holds a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Chicago (1977), with prior NASA affiliations at Ames and Marshall Space Flight Centers. His research focuses on cosmic magnetic fields and astrobiology, leveraging instruments like CanariCam (a GTC facility instrument developed by his team) and the IMPS polarimeter for exoplanet studies. Key scientific contributions include mid-IR polarimetry of magnetic fields in star-forming regions and the development of compact polarimeters for biosignature detection. His work is supported by the NSF and involves collaborations with SETI, NASA, and NIST. Telesco's technical expertise spans infrared instrumentation, interstellar dust dynamics, and high-resolution observational techniques. Recent publications emphasize ultra-late-time spectroscopy of Type Ia supernovae (e.g., SN 2021aefx) using JWST, alongside advancements in polarimetry for both astrophysical and astrobiological applications. Active projects include refining IMPS for extraterrestrial biosignature detection and mid-IR surveys of nearby stars with CanariCam.

• Cosmic Magnetic Fields
• Astrobiology
• Infrared Instrumentation
• +3 more

Dr. Ramesh Bhat is a Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University's School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences (EECMS), affiliated with the Curtin Research Institute and Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA). His primary affiliation is with the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He is based at Curtin Perth Campus in Brodie Hall, Room 161. His research focuses on astrophysics and radio astronomy, particularly pulsar timing, gravitational wave detection using pulsar timing arrays, and the study of transient phenomena such as fast radio bursts (FRBs). He contributes to major projects like the High Time Resolution Universe (HTRU) survey, MeerTime, and the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). Key research interests include pulsar population studies, interstellar medium interactions, signal processing for radio astronomy, and instrumentation development for next-generation telescopes like the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). His work spans theoretical models of pulsar emission mechanisms to observational studies of pulsar nulling, subpulse drifting, and gravitational wave backgrounds. Recent publications highlight advancements in pulsar survey techniques (e.g., GPU-accelerated analysis), discovery of new pulsars and FRBs, and constraints on cosmological models via pulsar timing arrays. His research often involves international collaborations, leveraging facilities like the Parkes radio telescope and the MWA. He actively contributes to radio interferometry, transient detection algorithms, and pulsar timing array data analysis. His work bridges observational astronomy with computational methods, aiming to advance understanding of compact objects and gravitational physics.

• Astrophysics
• Radio Astronomy
• Pulsar Studies
• +3 more

Sam McSweeney is a Researcher at Curtin University's School of Electrical Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences (EECMS), part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His work focuses on pulsar astrophysics, subpulse drifting phenomena, and radio transient detection using instruments like the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). Key research areas include magnetar-like radio transients, nulling pulsars, and multiwavelength studies of neutron stars. He has contributed to major surveys like the SMART pulsar survey and developed advanced data processing pipelines for transient detection. Publications since 2023 highlight discoveries of long-period radio transients, emission state-switching phenomena, and multi-instrument follow-up strategies. His work bridges observational astronomy with computational techniques, emphasizing high-time resolution observations and GPU-based imaging for FRB searches.

• Radio Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Pulsar Studies
• +3 more