Christoph PfrommerView profile
Professor
Christoph Pfrommer is a University Professor at the University of Potsdam and Head of the Cosmology and High-Energy Astrophysics section at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP). His research focuses on theoretical astrophysics spanning from plasma physics to cosmological scales, with particular emphasis on understanding galaxy and galaxy cluster formation and evolution. His educational background includes a Dr. rer. nat. from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2005), a Diploma in Physics from Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (2002), and graduate studies at Harvard University (1999-2000). He completed his Privatdozent (Venia Legendi in Physics) at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg in 2014. Professor Pfrommer's research interests span three main areas: Physical Cosmology : Formation and evolution of galaxies, galaxy clusters, and large-scale structure in the Universe; interstellar, circum- and intergalactic medium and intercluster medium; physics of galactic feedback processes via galactic winds and jets in supermassive black holes. Plasma- and High-Energy Astrophysics : Cosmic ray acceleration and transport, magnetic fields: dynamo growth and saturation, plasma instabilities, radiative processes in galaxies and galaxy clusters; radio and gamma-ray astrophysics; propagation of relativistic gamma rays from blazars and pair creation; dark matter theory and indirect detection. Computational Astrophysics : Code development and high-performance computing with the unstructured moving mesh magneto-hydrodynamics code AREPO, the particle-in-cell (PIC) plasma code SHARP and the extended fluid-PIC code version with a Landau closure. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and their impact on galaxy and cluster formation. His work often combines theoretical modeling with high-performance computational simulations to address fundamental questions in astrophysics. Scientific Awards and Recognition European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant 2020: PICOGAL (2022-2027) European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant 2014: CRAGSMAN (2016-2021) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (2005-2008) Professor Pfrommer has received significant research funding through prestigious ERC grants, indicating the high impact and innovative nature of his research program. His work on cosmic rays and magnetic fields has positioned him as a leading researcher in these areas. As an educator, Professor Pfrommer has taught numerous advanced courses at the University of Potsdam, including Advanced Computational Astrophysics, Galaxies and Cosmology, and The Physics of Galaxy Clusters. His teaching emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical computational methods, preparing students for research in modern astrophysics.











