Erin Hicks

Erin Hicks, Ph.D., is Chair and Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Alaska. She holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics from the University of California, Los Angeles (2006), an M.S. in Astronomy & Astrophysics (2001), and a B.S. in Physics with minors in Astronomy and Mathematics from Washington State University (1999).

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Astronomy & Astrophysics, UCLA, 2006
  • M.S., Astronomy & Astrophysics, UCLA, 2001
  • B.S., Physics, Washington State University, 1999

Her research focuses on galaxy formation and evolution, particularly the roles of black holes and active galactic nuclei (AGN) in shaping galaxy dynamics. Key interests include AGN feedback mechanisms, high-redshift galaxy properties, and observational techniques like adaptive optics and integral field spectroscopy. Her work integrates n-body simulations to model galaxy evolution.

Publications highlight studies on molecular inflows/outflows in AGN, kinematics of high-redshift galaxies, and the interplay between star formation and AGN activity. Recent work emphasizes spatially resolved observations of gas dynamics in distant galaxies.

No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned. She advises no listed students and has no noted lab affiliations. Career highlights include postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Washington and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.