David S. Meier

David S. Meier, Ph.D. (UCLA, 2002), is an Associate Professor in the Physics Department at New Mexico Tech. His research specializes in astrophysics, astrochemistry in galaxies, and star formation processes in dwarf and starburst galaxies. He utilizes multi-wavelength observational data, particularly from facilities like ALMA and JWST, to investigate molecular gas dynamics and star formation mechanisms in nearby galaxies.

Research interests focus on:

• Physical and chemical properties of molecular gas in galactic centers
• Starburst-driven outflows and feedback mechanisms
• Formation and evolution of super star clusters
• Interstellar medium dynamics in low-metallicity environments
• Advanced data analysis techniques for millimeter-wave spectroscopy

Recent publications (2019-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on galactic-scale processes: 85% involve ALMA data analysis of starburst galaxies (notably NGC 253 and M82), with recurring themes of molecular outflows, shock chemistry, and high-resolution mapping of central molecular zones. Significant methodological innovation is evident through machine learning applications and multi-line excitation analyses.

No scientific awards, student advising relationships, or grant details are mentioned in available materials. Office hours and extensive teaching responsibilities (including Comprehensive Physics, Astronomy Labs, and specialized astrophysics courses) indicate active academic engagement.