Ilaria Caiazzo

Ilaria Caiazzo is an Assistant Professor of Astrophysics at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Her research focuses on stellar evolution, compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes), and X-ray polarization studies. She leads observational campaigns using missions like JWST, IXPE, and Gaia, and collaborates on theoretical models for magnetar emission and accreting X-ray pulsars. Her work includes the discovery of an ultramassive white dwarf (ZTF J1901+1458) and breakthroughs in magnetar polarization measurements. She is also a key contributor to the Colibrì X-ray telescope mission proposal as Project Scientist.

Research Interests:

• Stellar Evolution in Star Clusters
• X-ray Polarization of Compact Objects
• White Dwarf Formation and Structure
• Accretion Processes in Neutron Stars
• QED Effects in Strong Magnetic Fields

Her recent work includes the first IXPE observations of magnetars (Science, 2022) and contributions to JWST Cycle 1 observing programs targeting ancient stellar systems like 47 Tucanae. She has also produced influential publications in Nature and Astrophysical Journal, advancing our understanding of stellar remnants and their extreme physical conditions.

Awards: While no explicit honors are listed, her high-impact publications and leadership in major missions highlight her scholarly contributions.

Grants and Collaborations: Approved HST (Cycle 29) and JWST (Cycle 1) programs, IXPE collaboration member, and Colibrì mission team leader. Her work integrates large surveys (ZTF, Gaia) with cutting-edge instrumentation.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Colibrì mission consortium and IXPE science working groups, focusing on X-ray polarimetry and compact object studies.