Jeffrey Chilcote

Jeffrey Chilcote is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame, part of the College of Science. He specializes in infrared astronomical instrument design and exoplanet imaging. His work includes contributions to the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) and the CHARIS spectrograph, critical tools for direct imaging of extrasolar planets. Chilcote earned his PhD in Astronomy from UCLA (2014), following a BS in Physics and Math from Northwestern University (2008).

• Education:
  • PhD in Astronomy, UCLA, 2014
  • MS in Astronomy, UCLA, 2010
  • BS in Physics with Honors and Math, Northwestern University, 2008

His research focuses on advancing adaptive optics and spectroscopic techniques to study young exoplanets. Key projects include the GPIES survey, which discovered 51 Eridani b, a Jupiter-like planet with a methane-dominated atmosphere. Chilcote also contributed to the first H-band spectrum of beta Pic b using GPI. His postdoctoral work included roles at the Dunlap Institute (University of Toronto) and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (Stanford University).