Maria Charisi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Washington State University (WSU). She holds a BSc in Physics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and a PhD in Astronomy from Columbia University. Prior to her current role, she was a NANOGrav Fellow at Caltech (2017-2020) and a VIDA Fellow at Vanderbilt University (2020-2023). She is a research fellow at the Institute of Astrophysics (Foundation for Research and Technology–Hellas, University of Crete). Her research focuses on supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs), multi-messenger astrophysics, and gravitational-wave astronomy. She leverages pulsar timing arrays (PTAs), electromagnetic time-domain surveys, and machine learning to study SMBHBs. She is a member of the NANOGrav Collaboration, International Pulsar Timing Array, LISA Consortium, and LSST AGN Science Collaboration. Charisi has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant (2023) and has secured over $234,800 in grants, including telescope time on the Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, and Las Cumbres Observatory. She has mentored numerous students, including graduate and undergraduate researchers, and has been recognized with awards such as the Hartle Award (2016) for best student presentation on Pulsar Timing Arrays. Her teaching roles include instructor for the VIPER Summer School on PTA GW Astrophysics and guest lectures at UC Berkeley and Columbia University. She actively participates in mentoring programs, including Women Mentoring Women at Caltech and initiatives at Columbia University.
Rajendra Gupta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Ottawa. His research focuses on astrophysics, cosmology, and general relativity, with an emphasis on evolving physical constants, the dynamics of the universe, and observations using facilities like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Allahabad, India, and has been affiliated with institutions including the National Research Council of Canada, McGill University, and the University of Manitoba. His research interests include cosmological models beyond the standard framework, analysis of cosmic microwave background (CMB) data, baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), and dark matter/energy studies. He actively explores how variations in fundamental constants (e.g., gravitational constant, fine-structure constant) impact astrophysical phenomena such as supernova luminosity, quasar spectra, and early universe conditions. His recent publications (2020–2024) investigate topics like CCC+TL cosmology, JWST observations of the early universe, and constraints on varying constants using quasars and gravitational lensing. He also contributes to metrology through experiments like inertial mass measurement with Kibble balances. Dr. Gupta teaches astrophysics at both undergraduate and graduate levels and maintains an active research program analyzing observational data from cutting-edge telescopes and theoretical models. His work bridges theoretical cosmology with experimental astrophysics, addressing longstanding questions like the lithium problem and the faint young Sun paradox.
Marco Ajello is an Associate Professor at Clemson University's College of Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy. He leads a research group focused on high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, and astro-particle physics, utilizing major NASA missions like Fermi, Swift, and NuSTAR. Ph.D. in Physics and Astrophysics, Technical University Munich (2007) M.S. in Particle Physics, University of Trieste (2003) B.S.+M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Palermo (2001) His research explores extreme cosmic environments, including supermassive black hole evolution, gamma-ray background radiation, and the role of the first stars in re-ionization. He collaborates with institutions such as Stanford University, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Complutense University of Madrid. Recent publications focus on the extragalactic γ-ray background, blazar spectral analysis, and Compton-thick AGN studies. His work integrates ground- and space-based telescopes (Fermi-LAT, NuSTAR, Swift) with computational resources like the Palmetto cluster. 2023 Dean’s Professorship Award 2023 Distinguished Doctoral Mentoring Award 2021 SC Governor's Young Scientist Award 2018 URSAA Award, Clemson 2008 Otto Hahn Medal, Max Planck Society Current advisees include graduate students Abhishek Desai and Lea Marcotulli, postdocs Vaidehi Paliya and Stefano Marchesi. He teaches courses ASTR-1020, ASTR-1010, and advanced astrophysics seminars (ASTR-8000 series).
Nemanja Rakić serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of General Physics at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka. His academic appointment, confirmed by election on January 26, 2023, focuses on astronomy and astrophysics within the Serbian academic system where his title 'доцент' corresponds to Associate Professor rank. He teaches across multiple physics and astronomy programs including undergraduate courses in Physics 1 & 2, Basics of Astronomy, Fundamentals of Astrophysics, and graduate-level courses such as Astronomical Content in Physics Lessons and Computer Simulations in Physics Teaching. Dr. Rakić's research centers on active galactic nuclei (AGN) with particular emphasis on spectroscopic analysis of broad-line regions, the Baldwin effect in various galaxy types, and detection methods for supermassive binary black holes. His work combines observational data from surveys like SDSS with theoretical modeling to understand galactic nuclei kinematics. He has developed innovative approaches to physics education, integrating astronomical content and computer simulations into teaching methodology. His research spans observational astronomy, spectroscopy, and astrophysical modeling with applications in understanding black hole dynamics and galaxy evolution. His publication record shows consistent output in high-impact astronomy journals including Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Classical and Quantum Gravity. Recent publications (2020-2022) demonstrate expansion into science communication and educational methodologies, reflecting his dual commitment to research excellence and pedagogical innovation in astronomy education. Dr. Rakić has led significant research projects including 'Study of binary supermassive black holes in active galaxies in the optical and X-ray domains' (2016-2017) as principal investigator, and participated as a team member in 'Elastic electron scattering on a bismuth atom and a triethyl phosphate molecule' (2018-2020). His collaborative work involves researchers from multiple institutions across Serbia and internationally, with notable collaborations on gravitational wave research and AGN monitoring projects.
Marianne Vestergaard is a Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, specifically affiliated with the Dark Cosmology Centre (DARK). She has been a faculty member since returning to the University of Copenhagen in 2009 as a Freja Fellow. Her research focuses on distant, young galaxies called quasars, particularly studying the physics of supermassive black holes at their centers. Dr. Vestergaard earned her PhD in Astrophysics from the Niels Bohr Institute in 1999 with a dissertation titled "Are Radio-loud Quasars Rebellious or Are Radio-quiets Just Plain Untalented? A Study of the Ultraviolet Broad Emission Line Profiles in High-Redshift Radio-loud and Radio-quiet Quasars." Prior to her PhD, she completed her Master of Science at the University of Copenhagen in 1992. She conducted research at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics during her PhD studies and subsequently worked at Ohio State University, University of Arizona, and Tufts University before returning to Copenhagen. Marianne Vestergaard's primary research interest is in the physics of distant, young galaxies called quasars. These objects emit powerful radiation due to material falling onto supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. She specializes in determining the mass of these black holes and investigating how the powerful energy emission from the central active nucleus affects their surroundings. Her work employs a wide array of telescopes both in space and on Earth, sensitive to X-ray, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, sub-millimeter and radio radiation. Recently, she has utilized data from the Very Large Telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Chile, Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX), Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), Hubble Space Telescope, and Swift X-ray and UV-optical telescope. Analysis of Dr. Vestergaard's recent publications (2024-2025) reveals a strong focus on active galactic nuclei (AGN) physics, particularly through the AGN STORM 2 project. Her work examines accretion disk dynamics, black hole mass measurements, reverberation mapping techniques, and the relationship between central black holes and their host galaxies. She frequently collaborates on multi-wavelength observational campaigns, combining data from X-ray through radio wavelengths to build comprehensive models of AGN structure and behavior. A significant portion of her recent work involves studying specific AGN like Mrk 817 and NGC 7469 to understand accretion physics in detail. Året Harald (2016) KIF (Women in Physics) Honorary Award (2024) Jens Martin Prisen (2015) Dr. Vestergaard has been actively involved in numerous international collaborations and research projects throughout her career. Her work has generated significant interest in the scientific community, with her publications being referenced by multiple news outlets, blogged about, and shared across social media platforms. She has participated in public outreach activities, giving lectures at institutions like Folkeuniversitetet in Aarhus and Copenhagen on topics including "Giant black holes, quasars and baby galaxies." Her research has been featured in media outlets such as Videnskabernes Verden ("World of the Sciences"). As a member of the Dark Cosmology Centre at the Niels Bohr Institute, Dr. Vestergaard is part of a research environment dedicated to understanding the dark components of the universe - dark matter and dark energy. The center combines observational, theoretical, and computational approaches to cosmological research, with particular strengths in high-redshift astronomy, galaxy formation and evolution, and the physics of active galactic nuclei.
Associate Professor Christian Wolf is an astronomer at the Australian National University (ANU), affiliated with the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics within ANU College of Science. He holds a PhD from the Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy (1999) and has held roles at the University of Oxford until 2013. His research focuses on supermassive black hole growth, accretion discs, wide-field surveys (LSST, eROSITA, SkyMapper), and gravitational-wave counterpart detection. He leads the SkyMapper Group and has contributed to projects like the COMBO-17 survey and All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO). His work includes discovering ultra-luminous quasars and studying galaxy evolution. Supervised students include Neelesh Amrutha, Zachary Steyn, and Ashley Hai Tung Tan. Over 130 publications span quasar studies, black hole dynamics, and survey methodologies. Education: PhD (1999), Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy; Postdoctoral roles at MPIA Heidelberg (until 2001) and University of Oxford (STFC Fellow 2004-2009). Research interests emphasize observational cosmology, quasar variability, and multi-wavelength surveys. Key projects include the SkyMapper Southern Survey (DR2/4) and the AllBRICQS quasar survey. His publications often address black hole accretion, galaxy evolution, and survey techniques.
Roger Blandford is the Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University, where he also serves as Professor of Physics and Particle Physics and Astrophysics. He joined Stanford in 2003 from Caltech to become the founding Director of the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (KIPAC), a position that established him as a central figure in Stanford's astrophysics community. His work bridges theoretical physics and observational astronomy, with significant contributions to our understanding of high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Professor Blandford's research spans a remarkable breadth of astrophysical phenomena, with particular focus on black hole physics, neutron star systems, and cosmological structures. His investigations into relativistic jets, gravitational lensing, and cosmic ray acceleration have provided fundamental insights into extreme astrophysical environments. More recently, his work has expanded into interdisciplinary areas including the potential astrophysical origins of biological homochirality, demonstrating his ability to connect cosmic phenomena with questions of life's fundamental properties. His theoretical frameworks have become standard references in multiple subfields of astrophysics. Blandford's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research across decades, with recent work showing increasing interdisciplinary reach. His 2019-2022 publications demonstrate continued leadership in black hole physics and relativistic phenomena while expanding into biophysics and cosmology. Notably, his work on the chiral puzzle of life represents an innovative bridge between astrophysics and biology. His collaborations span observational, theoretical, and experimental approaches, often bringing together diverse expertise to tackle fundamental questions in astrophysics. Luke Blossom Professorship at Stanford University Chair of the National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics (2008-2010) Co-author of the influential textbook 'Modern Classical Physics' Founding Director of the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology Professor Blandford maintains an active mentoring role at Stanford, serving as Doctoral Dissertation Reader for Bryen Irving, Postdoctoral Faculty Sponsor for Dylan Jow and Navin Sridhar, Orals Evaluator for Anthony Flores, and Doctoral Dissertation Co-Advisor for Andrew Sullivan. His teaching portfolio includes advanced courses in General Relativity, Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, and Special Topics in Astrophysics focusing on Extreme Astrophysics. His academic leadership extends to significant contributions to major collaborative projects including the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope mission and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope initiative. As the founding Director of KIPAC, Blandford established one of the world's leading centers for particle astrophysics and cosmology research. The institute brings together physicists, astrophysicists, and cosmologists to tackle fundamental questions about the universe's structure and evolution. His leadership helped shape KIPAC's research directions across cosmic structure, extreme astrophysics, physics of the universe, and stellar/interstellar/planetary astrophysics, creating a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment that continues to produce groundbreaking results.
Anne Lohfink is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Montana State University's College of Letters & Science, specializing in observational black hole astrophysics and X-ray astronomy. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Maryland (2014) M.S. in Astronomy from the University of Maryland (2011) Dr. Lohfink's research centers on high-energy phenomena in black hole systems, with particular emphasis on coronal physics, relativistic reflection, and outflow dynamics in Active Galactic Nuclei. She utilizes data from the NuSTAR observatory to probe extreme gravitational environments, investigating spectral signatures of accretion disks and jet interactions. Her work bridges observational data with theoretical models of matter behavior under intense gravity, contributing to fundamental understanding of black hole astrophysics. Analysis of her publication timeline reveals consistent focus on NuSTAR-based investigations of AGN coronae since 2013, with increasing sophistication in spectral modeling techniques. Her research demonstrates strong collaboration within the high-energy astrophysics community, frequently appearing in leading journals like The Astrophysical Journal and Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Dr. Lohfink actively contributes to the field through service as a member of the NuSTAR Users' Committee (2017-2024), providing scientific oversight for mission operations. She teaches core physics courses including PHSX 331 (Methods of Computational Physics) and ASTR 476 (Theoretical Astrophysics) through academic year 2025. She is affiliated with Montana State University's eXTreme Gravity Institute, which focuses on theoretical and observational studies of gravitational phenomena in extreme cosmic environments.
Dr. Norberto Castro Rodriguez is a scientific staff member at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), affiliated with the Astrophotonics (innoFSPEC) section. His research focuses on stellar astrophysics within nearby galaxies and star-forming regions, utilizing advanced observational techniques. His primary research interests include: Stellar Astrophysics and Massive Star Evolution Extragalactic Studies in Magellanic Clouds 3D and Multi-Object Spectroscopy Stellar Populations in Low-Metallicity Environments Wolf-Rayet Binaries and Runaway Stars Castro's recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a concentrated investigation into massive stellar populations across the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, Tarantula Nebula, and open clusters like NGC 663 and NGC 2070. His work prominently features instrumentation breakthroughs including VLT-MUSE spectroscopy and James Webb Space Telescope data, with emphasis on stellar evolution pathways, binary interactions, and kinematic ejection mechanisms in metal-poor systems. As an active collaborator within AIP's Astrophotonics (innoFSPEC) group, Castro maintains cross-sectional engagements with Galaxies and Quasars, 3D Spectroscopy, and Milky Way research teams. His technical expertise spans instrument development for high-resolution spectroscopy while advancing observational frameworks for massive star evolution studies.
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.
Dr Carolin Villforth is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Bath, serving as Head of Department. She leads observational research in astrophysics through her affiliation with the Institute for Mathematical Innovation (IMI) . Research Focus: Specializing in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and supermassive black holes, her work investigates: Fueling mechanisms of accreting black holes Physical properties of AGN Galactic-scale impact of AGN activity Observational techniques combining imaging and spectroscopy Scientific Contributions: Recent publications highlight advancements in: 4MOST IR AGN survey design Reverberation mapping of accretion flows Radiation-regulated obscuration in AGN Post-merger enhancements in Seyfert galaxies Extreme compact starbursts obscuring quasars Public Engagement: Active participant in science communication through events like Somerscience 2025 planetarium demonstrations.
David Kerr is a Professor of Cancer Medicine and Consultant Physician at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. He leads the Kerr and Pezzella Group, focusing on colorectal cancer clinical trials and the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor growth, particularly the non-angiogenic pathway. His research integrates biomarker development, anti-angiogenic therapies, and genomic analysis to improve patient outcomes. Key collaborations include work with Dr. Rachel Midgley on adjuvant chemotherapy trials (e.g., QUASAR 2) and partnerships with institutions like AstraZeneca. His group has pioneered prognostic mRNA signatures and biomarkers for therapies like bevacizumab. Research interests span colorectal cancer genetics, immunotherapy resistance, and precision medicine. Notable achievements include identifying cancer susceptibility SNPs and advancing understanding of tumor vasculature dynamics. Awards include CBE, FMedSci, and FRCP. Funding comes from governments (e.g., Malaysia, Saudi Arabia) and industry. He also co-leads the Kerr-Cai Group exploring epigenetic regulation in cholangiocarcinoma. Recent work emphasizes AI-driven diagnostic tools for histopathology and ctDNA-based recurrence prediction (CORRECT-MRD I). His lab’s focus on multi-omic analyses and clinical translation aims to bridge basic science and patient care, addressing global cancer disparities through initiatives like the Africa-Oxford-Harvard/Hopkins consortium.
Donald Terndrup is an Associate Professor of Astronomy at The Ohio State University, specializing in observational astronomy with a focus on stellar populations, quasar winds, and galactic evolution. He joined the faculty in 1990 and has contributed extensively to studies of quasar outflows and their impact on galaxy formation. His research bridges stellar astrophysics and extragalactic phenomena, particularly examining angular momentum evolution in stars and the structure of the Galactic bulge. Education: Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics from UC Santa Cruz (1986), A.B. in Physics and Astronomy from UC Berkeley (1981). He served as Program Director in the Division of Astronomical Sciences at the National Science Foundation (2008–2012), emphasizing his leadership in astronomical research policy. Courses taught include Astronomy 3350 (Methods of Astronomical Observation) and Astronomy 1221 (Astronomy Data Analysis). Research Interests: Terndrup’s work centers on quasar winds and feedback mechanisms, using multi-wavelength observations and spectral synthesis techniques. He investigates how outflows from active galactic nuclei influence galaxy evolution, with recent focus on iron low-ionization broad absorption-line (FeLoBAL) quasars. His studies employ advanced tools like SimBAL simulations to model outflow dynamics and energetics. Articles Trends: His publications (2020–2024) emphasize quasar outflow physics, including geometric modeling, spectral variability analysis, and connections between accretion processes and radiation-driven winds. Collaborations span institutions worldwide, addressing topics like γ-ray novae and stellar rotation in the Kepler field. Grants & Advising: Funded by NSF grants such as the Collaborative Research on BAL quasar spectral synthesis (2020). Advises graduate students on AGN feedback projects and undergraduate research through initiatives like 'Quasar Outflows for Undergraduates and Everyone.' Labs/Teams: Active in collaborative projects such as the 4MOST-Gaia Quasar Survey and Dragonfly Galaxy studies, focusing on high-redshift galaxy mergers and radio jet interactions.
Patrick Hall is a Full Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University. He holds academic appointments within the Faculty of Science and leads research in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and quasar dynamics. His work focuses on quasar outflows, accretion disk physics, and gravitational lensing. Hall has secured significant external funding, including NSERC Discovery Grants and the Ontario Early Researcher Award. He has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, contributing to over 100 refereed publications. Education: Ph.D. in Astronomy (University of Arizona, 1998), B.A. in Astronomy and Physics (UC Berkeley, 1990). Research interests include AGN feedback mechanisms, quasar variability, and observational cosmology. Notable achievements include discoveries of extreme BAL quasars and the first detection of BAL outflow acceleration using Gemini telescope data. Awards: Asteroid 153686 named 'Pathall', NASA mission contributions, and multiple York University Merit Awards. Active in professional organizations like the Canadian Astronomical Society and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-V) collaboration. Grants: Over CAD 1.5M in research funding, including NSERC and CFHT projects. Collaborations include XMM-Newton, Hubble Space Telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Labs/Teams: Member of the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) project and SDSS-V Black Hole Mapper initiative. Supervises the York University AGN research group.
Simone Scaringi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas Tech University. His research focuses on accretion disk physics across cosmic scales and the application of machine learning to astrophysical data analysis, particularly through the BlackGEM telescope project. Education: Ph.D., Astrophysics, University of Southampton (2010) M.Phil., Astrophysics, University of Southampton (2007) B.Sc., Mathematics with Astronomy, University of Southampton (2005) Research Interests: Dr. Scaringi investigates universal accretion processes in systems ranging from young stellar objects to supermassive black holes. He develops machine learning algorithms to analyze data from projects like BlackGEM, aiming to classify transient events and reduce subjective bias in classification. His work bridges observational astronomy with computational techniques. Awards: Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (2014) FWO Pegasus Marie Curie Fellowship (2012) Labs/Teams: Involved with the BlackGEM telescope array project, focusing on optical transient detection and data fusion techniques using deep learning and convolutional neural networks.
