Janna Levin

Janna Levin is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard College, Columbia University, specializing in cosmology, black holes, and gravitational waves. She holds a BA from Barnard College (Physics, Astronomy, Philosophy) and a PhD from MIT (Physics). Her work bridges science and art, serving as Founding Director of Sciences at Pioneer Works and Editor-in-Chief of their science-art magazine.

Research focuses on the early universe, chaos theory, and black hole dynamics. Notable publications include Black Hole Survival Guide, Black Hole Blues, and How the Universe Got Its Spots. She hosted Black Hole Apocalypse on PBS’s Nova, the first female presenter in 35 years.

• Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship (2012)
• PEN/Bingham Fellowship Winner (2006)
• National Endowment for Science, Technology & Arts Award (Oxford)

Advocates for science-art collaboration through Pioneer Works, blending academic research with creative projects like original artwork in Black Hole Survival Guide. Former affiliations include UC Berkeley’s Center for Particle Astrophysics, Cambridge’s DAMTP, and Oxford’s Ruskin School of Art.