Frederic A. Rasio

Frederic A. Rasio is the Joseph Cummings Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University, affiliated with the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. He joined Northwestern in 2001 after positions at MIT and the Institute for Advanced Study. His educational background includes a PhD in Physics from Cornell University (1991) and an MS in Applied Physics from Université Libre de Bruxelles (1985).

Rasio's research spans theoretical astrophysics with focus areas including:

• Exoplanet dynamics and formation mechanisms
• Stellar interactions in dense environments (collisions, mergers)
• Gravitational wave sources for LIGO/LISA detectors
• Formation pathways for black holes and neutron stars
• Relativistic astrophysics and star cluster dynamics

His scientific recognitions include:

• American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow (2018)
• American Physical Society Fellow (2006)
• Sloan Research Fellowship (1996-2000)
• NASA Hubble Fellowship (1992-1995)

Rasio has supervised 11 PhD students and over 40 undergraduate researchers. He currently serves as Editor for Astrophysical Journal Letters and previously co-directed Northwestern's Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (2009-2013). His research is supported by major grants from NSF and NASA focusing on black holes in dense stellar systems.