E. Sterl Phinney

E. Sterl Phinney is a Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), affiliated with the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. He holds a B.S. from Caltech (1980) and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge (1983). His academic career includes roles as Assistant Professor (1985–1991), Associate Professor (1991–1995), and Full Professor (1995–present), as well as Executive Officer for Astronomy (2013–2016). Phinney’s research focuses on high-energy astrophysics, gravitational waves, and relativistic phenomena, with notable contributions to the LISA space mission and studies of pulsars, black holes, and galaxy dynamics.

Education and Academic Roles:
- B.S., Caltech, 1980
- Ph.D., University of Cambridge, 1983
- Tenured positions at Caltech since 1985

Research Interests:
- Gravitational wave astrophysics
- Relativistic jets and accretion disks
- Pulsar dynamics and binary systems
- Galactic and extragalactic phenomena
- Theoretical models of compact objects and stellar evolution

Awards and Honors:
- Warner Prize for Astronomy (1995)
- Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship
- Salpeter Lectureship (1999)
- Fellow of the American Physical Society

Current Projects:
- Science team member for the ULTRASat and UVEX missions
- Principal Investigator for the Big Bang Observer study
- Member of the ZTF theory network analyzing transient astrophysical phenomena

Labs/Teams:
- Involved in LIGO and LISA collaborations
- Active in the Caltech Astronomy Department’s research initiatives