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Marc HONView profile

Assistant Professor

• Asteroseismology
• Time-domain Astronomy
• Machine Learning
• +3 more

Marc HON is an Assistant Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) under the NUS Presidential Young Professorship, specializing in time-domain astronomy and machine learning applications for NASA missions including Kepler, TESS, and the Roman Space Telescope. His work focuses on characterizing stellar populations and discovering novel astrophysical phenomena through data-driven methodologies. His research spans asteroseismology for probing stellar interiors and Galactic archaeology to map the Milky Way's evolution using variable stars, alongside exoplanetary science investigations into planetary system evolution, habitable worlds, and James Webb Space Telescope atmospheric characterization. A core methodology involves developing machine learning frameworks like deep learning classifiers and generative models for large-scale astronomical datasets. HON's publication trends (2018-2024) reveal consistent innovation at the astrophysics-ML intersection, with emphases on red giant asteroseismology, exoplanet dynamics, and scalable analysis pipelines for space telescope data. Key contributions include flow-based stellar evolution emulators, deep learning oscillation detectors, and large-scale TESS Galactic archaeology studies. Scientific recognition includes: NASA Hubble Fellowship (2020) He actively contributes to major international collaborations as a member of both the TESS and Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortia, with direct involvement in MIT's TESS mission operations and data pipelines.

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.

Jiadong LiView profile

Research Fellow

• Stellar Physics
• Binary Stars
• Galactic Evolution
• +3 more

Jiadong Li is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany. He previously completed his PhD at the National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC) under Professor Liu Chao and was a visiting researcher at the Flatiron Institute in New York. His academic foundation was laid at Beijing Normal University (BNU) , where he studied astronomy. Li's research focuses on stellar physics and binary star systems , statistical analysis of stellar initial mass function (IMF) variations, and differentiable stellar atmosphere modeling using machine learning frameworks. His work leverages data from Gaia , LAMOST , SDSS-V/APOGEE , and the upcoming CSST to unravel the assembly history of the Milky Way and metallicity-dependent star formation mechanisms. Recent publications highlight his contributions to identifying millions of binary stars via Gaia spectra, developing physics-informed neural networks for stellar atmosphere emulation, and creating AspGap , a dataset for 37 million red giant stars . He actively builds open-source tools like Kurucz-a1 (stellar atmosphere emulator) and AspGap (stellar parameter augmentation), reflecting his commitment to computational astrophysics and data-driven research .

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.

• Astrophysics Beyond the Standard Model
• Dark Matter Physics
• Cosmology
• +5 more

Katelin Schutz is an Assistant Professor at McGill University's Department of Physics, holding the Canada Research Chair in Astrophysics Beyond the Standard Model. Her research focuses on astrophysical manifestations of physics beyond the Standard Model, with a strong emphasis on dark matter, particle astrophysics, and cosmology. She explores topics such as axion dark matter, plasma effects on photon behavior, and novel detection methods for sub-GeV particles. Her work integrates theoretical models with observational data from experiments like FAST radio telescope and CMB-S4, aiming to uncover new physics through cosmic probes. Key research areas include dark matter self-interactions, gravitational wave signatures, and early universe phenomena. Schutz has contributed to advancing techniques in hydrodynamical simulations of reionization and analyzing stellar data to constrain particle physics models. Notable achievements include the Canada Research Chair appointment and contributions to international collaborations like the Snowmass Cosmic Frontier white papers. Her research bridges particle physics and cosmology, addressing fundamental questions about dark matter composition, cosmic structure formation, and the nature of fundamental interactions beyond established frameworks.

Christine von BlohView profile

Researcher

• Astrobiology
• Planetary Science
• Earth System Science
• +2 more

Dr. Christine von Bloh is a Researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in the Department Earth System Analysis, serving as Equal Opportunities Officer and coordinator of the PIK PhD Programme. She chairs the Leibniz Association's Equal Opportunities and Diversity Working Group (AKCD) and serves as deputy speaker for the Alliance of EOOs in Non-University Research Organisations (AGbaF). Her educational background includes: 1983: German university entrance qualification (Abitur) 1983-1984: Internship at Central Institute for Physics of the Earth Potsdam 1984-1990: Diploma in Geophysics from Technical University Mountain Academy Freiberg 1997-1999: Environmental protection studies at University Koblenz-Landau 2004-2008: PhD in Astrophysics from Potsdam University Her research bridges astrobiology and Earth system science , focusing on exoplanet habitability, Earth's long-term biosphere evolution, and biogeochemical cycles. She develops thermal evolution models for terrestrial planets and investigates volatile exchange between planetary reservoirs using dynamic Earth system models. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent emphasis on habitable zone dynamics across stellar evolution phases, biosphere longevity under climate change, and geosphere-biosphere feedback mechanisms. Her work integrates astrophysics, geophysics, and climate science to address fundamental questions about planetary habitability across cosmic timescales. Dr. von Bloh actively mentors early-career scientists through PIK's doctoral program and leads institutional initiatives for gender equality in research. As part of PIK's Earth System Analysis department, she contributes to planetary boundaries research and climate impact assessments within interdisciplinary teams studying Earth's safe operating space.

• Astrophysics
• Galaxy Formation
• Star Formation
• +3 more

Haylee Archer is a Researcher at the School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University (ASU), specializing in astrophysics with a focus on molecular clouds and star formation in dwarf irregular galaxies. She is a graduate student under Dr. Rogier Windhorst, currently pursuing a PhD in Astrophysics. Her research leverages observations from major telescopes like ALMA, Herschel, and the Lowell Discovery Telescope to study the WLM galaxy, addressing questions about star formation mechanisms in low-metallicity environments. Education: PhD in Astrophysics (in progress), Arizona State University MA in Science Teaching, Northern Arizona University (2019) BS in Physics, University of North Dakota (2017) Research Interests: Molecular clouds and star formation in dwarf galaxies Low-metallicity environments and their role in galactic evolution CO cores and dark gas dynamics Galaxy cluster dynamics and interstellar medium studies Her work bridges observational astrophysics and education, with recent publications analyzing planet formation pedagogy and engineering curricula in out-of-school programs. She has operated the 4.3m Lowell Discovery Telescope and contributes to large-scale surveys like PEARLS and LITTLE THINGS.

• Exoplanet Detection
• Stellar Astrophysics
• Stellar Magnetic Activity
• +5 more

Dr. Ben Montet is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Physics at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he leads the NEarby Worlds and Their Stars (NEWTS) research group. He joined UNSW in October 2019 and actively seeks to supervise students at undergraduate, Honours, and PhD levels in exoplanet and stellar astrophysics research. His education includes a PhD in Astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology (2016) and a BS in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2011). Dr. Montet's research focuses on detecting and characterizing exoplanets around nearby stars and studying stellar magnetic activity phenomena like starspots and flares. He leverages data from space-based missions (Kepler, TESS) and ground-based facilities, employing machine learning techniques and statistical methods to analyze large datasets. His work spans exoplanet detection methods, stellar activity evolution, and the application of advanced computational tools to astrophysical problems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on exoplanet characterization (including atmosphere studies, transit timing variations, and dynamical interactions), asteroseismology (determining stellar masses and evolutionary states), and stellar activity cycles. A significant portion utilizes data from the TESS mission. Dr. Montet is actively involved in student advising and encourages prospective students interested in exoplanets or stellar astrophysics to contact him. He leads the NEWTS research group at UNSW.

Maryam SaberiView profile

Researcher

• Solar and Stellar Chromospheric Activity
• Molecular Spectral Lines Analysis
• Radiative Transfer Modelling
• +3 more

Maryam Saberi is a Researcher at the Rosseland Centre for Solar Physics, University of Oslo. Her work focuses on solar and stellar chromospheric activity, molecular spectral line analysis at mm/sub-mm wavelengths, and radiative transfer modeling of evolved star outflows. Education: Ph.D. in Radio Astronomy, Chalmers University (2014-2019) M.Sc. in Physics, Alzahra University (2011-2013) B.Sc. in Physics, Alzahra University (2006-2010) Research Interests: Investigates how chromospheric activity of solar-type stars evolves through stellar phases, impacting late-stage evolution and circumstellar chemistry. Uses ALMA/APEx observations and chemical modeling to study AGB stars' mass-loss processes and Galactic chemical enrichment. Grants & Projects: Leads the ESGC project on Galactic Chemical Enrichment, collaborates with NoRMA network. Involved in AtLAST telescope development for solar/stellar studies. Labs/Teams: Part of Rosseland Centre's solar-stellar research group and the Nordic Radio and Millimeter Astronomy Network (NoRMA).

Christian WolfView profile

Associate Professor

• Growth of supermassive black holes
• Accretion discs
• Wide-field sky surveys
• +3 more

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.

Alessandro MassarottiView profile

Associate Professor

• Planetary Science
• Astrophysics
• Geophysics
• +2 more

Alessandro Massarotti is an Associate Professor of Physics and the Chair of the Physics & Astronomy Department at Stonehill College, where he also directs the Earth & Planetary Sciences Program. His research spans planetary science, astrophysics, and theoretical physics with significant computational modeling expertise. His educational background includes: B.S. in Physics from the University of Rome 'La Sapienza' Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago Massarotti's primary research focuses on rocky planet evolution across solar system bodies and exoplanets, developing computational models to simulate planetary interiors under extreme conditions. He investigates Earth's continental crust formation, water cycling, and magnetic field generation, while comparing divergent evolutionary paths of Mars and Venus. His astrophysics work examines red giant stars, binary systems, and black holes, with notable findings on stellar rotation transfer during red giant phases and planetary ingestion phenomena. He also explores quantum gravity foundations, challenging point-particle models through spin-based space-time discretization theories. His publication record (1989-2022) reveals consistent interdisciplinary work connecting planetary science, stellar astrophysics, and cosmology through computational modeling and observational data analysis, with recent emphasis on exoplanet characterization and high-energy astrophysical systems. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Massarotti teaches core physics courses including Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Physics, and Semiconductor Materials, while mentoring students through research projects involving computational modeling of planetary systems and stellar phenomena. His departmental leadership shapes curriculum development in physics and planetary sciences. He directs a computational research group developing state-of-the-art planetary evolution models, analyzing data from observatories like Hubble and Chandra, and investigating tidal interactions in binary star systems, with ongoing projects focused on exoplanet interior dynamics and stellar evolution mechanisms.

Matthew CollessView profile

Professor

• Observational cosmology
• Large-scale structure of the universe
• Galaxy evolution
• +3 more

Matthew Colless is a Distinguished Professor at the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics (RSAA), ANU, where he served as Director from 2013 to 2022. He holds a BSc (Hons I) from Sydney University and a PhD from Cambridge. His research focuses on observational cosmology, galaxy evolution, and large-scale structure surveys. He has led major projects like the Australian Astronomical Observatory and contributed to initiatives such as the Giant Magellan Telescope and European Southern Observatory Council. Education: BSc (Sydney), PhD (Cambridge), research fellowships at Durham, Kitt Peak, and Cambridge. Research Interests: Utilizes large spectroscopic surveys to study galaxy formation, cosmic structures, and cosmological parameters. Key areas include peculiar velocities, redshift surveys, and astronomical instrumentation. Awards: AO (Order of Australia, 2023), Fellowships from the Australian Academy of Science, Royal Astronomical Society, and AAAS. ISI Citation Laureate. Grants/Advising: Supervised Paula Boubel and Thimo Timmermans. Led projects like the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey and MANIFEST instrument design. Labs/Teams: Associated with the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Mount Stromlo Observatory.

Paul FrancisView profile

Professor

• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Education Technology
• +5 more

Professor Paul Francis is an astronomer and educator at the Australian National University (ANU), affiliated with the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics within the ANU College of Science and Medicine. He holds the title of ANU Distinguished Educator and has received awards including the 2016 Australian Award for University Teaching and the 2000 ANU Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching. His research focuses on innovative education methods, active galactic nuclei (AGN), high-redshift galaxies, and Lyman-alpha blobs. He teaches courses such as PHYS1101, ASTR1001, and ASTR1003, and leads massive open online courses (MOOCs) in astronomy. Francis has contributed to major projects like the Southern Sky Survey and SkyMapper telescope initiatives. His research explores phenomena such as galaxy formation, quasar environments, and interstellar medium dynamics. Notable publications investigate Lyman-alpha blob gas dynamics, AGN emission mechanisms, and survey methodologies. Francis has supervised projects on topics like comet demographics and stellar occultations. His educational work emphasizes inquiry-based learning and MOOC development, with studies on student demographics in online courses. Scientific Awards: ANU Distinguished Educator, 2016 Australian Teaching Award, 2000 ANU Teaching Award Grants: Involved in the Southern Sky Survey (2003–2011) and SkyMapper projects Labs/Teams: Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, ANU Researcher Portal

Chris LidmanView profile

Associate Professor

• Time domain astronomy
• Observational cosmology
• Telescope operations
• +3 more

Chris Lidman is an Associate Professor and Director of Siding Spring Observatory at ANU. He specializes in time domain astronomy, observational cosmology, and telescope operations. His research focuses on supernovae, dark energy, and gravitational wave sirens. He has contributed to major projects like the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and OzDES. Key achievements include co-discovering the accelerating universe (2011 Nobel Prize-winning work) and leading ESO instrument commissions. He holds a PhD from ANU and has over 700 publications. Affiliations: ANU Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, OzGRAV, LSST, 4MOST. Education: PhD in Astronomy (ANU, 1994). Research interests include exotic transients, cosmological parameter constraints, and telescope operations. Over 300 DES/OzDES papers have been published. Awards include the Gruber Prize (2007) and Breakthrough Prize (2014). Supervised students include Patrick Armstrong and Bailey Martin. Active in grant projects like the AAT facility upgrade and instrumentation development. Labs/Teams: ANU 2.3m telescope automation, OzDES collaboration, Stromlo Observatory operations. Current projects include testing thawing dark energy models and gravitational wave cosmology.

Stuart WyitheView profile

Professor

• Galaxy Formation and Evolution
• Cosmic Reionization
• Intergalactic Medium
• +3 more

Professor Stuart Wyithe is the Director of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Australian National University (ANU), within the ANU College of Science and Medicine. He holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne (2001) and was a Hubble Fellow at Harvard University before returning to Australia in 2002. His research focuses on the evolution of the earliest galaxies and the cosmic reionization epoch, leveraging next-generation telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). His work addresses fundamental questions about galaxy formation, reionization processes, and intergalactic medium dynamics. Wyithe has received prestigious awards, including the Australian Laureate Fellowship, Pawsey Medal, Malcolm McIntosh Prize, and Boas Medal. He has held leadership roles such as President of the Astronomical Society of Australia and Chair of the Australian National Committee for Astronomy, leading the Australian Astronomy Decadal Plan 2015–2025. Research interests include theoretical models of galaxy formation, observational cosmology, and the interplay between early galaxies and the intergalactic medium. His projects explore high-redshift quasars, 21-cm radio signals, and cosmic microwave background constraints. Supervised students include Maria Valentina Garcia Alvarado. Wyithe’s contributions bridge cutting-edge simulations with observational data, advancing our understanding of the early Universe.