Jonathan I. Katz

Jonathan I. Katz is a Professor of Physics at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Space Sciences from Cornell University (1973) and has been a faculty member since 1986. His research spans astrophysics, climate science, and applied physics, with notable contributions to the study of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), gamma-ray bursts, and geoengineering solutions for climate change.

Education & Employment:

• A.B. in Physics, Cornell University, 1970
• A.M. in Astronomy and Space Sciences, Cornell University, 1971
• Ph.D. in Astronomy and Space Sciences, Cornell University, 1973
• Professor of Physics, Washington University, 1986–present
• Prior roles at UCLA, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and the Institute for Advanced Study

Research Interests:

• Astrophysics: FRBs, neutron star magnetospheres, gamma-ray bursts, pulsar physics, and accretion disk dynamics
• Climate Science: Climate change impacts, geoengineering (e.g., stratospheric aerosol injection), and extreme weather analysis
• Applied Physics: Fluid dynamics (e.g., shear thickening in suspensions), drilling mud rheology, and boundary layer hydrodynamics

Awards & Fellowships:

• Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (1977–1981)
• Fulbright Senior Lecturer (1985–1986)
• Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship
• National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Key Contributions:

• Pioneered theories on FRB origins, including connections to magnetars and coherent radiation mechanisms
• Developed novel drilling mud compositions to suppress blowouts during oil spills
• Authored The Biggest Bangs, a popular science book on gamma-ray bursts
• Advocated for climate engineering strategies and analyzed climate trends using NOAA data

Labs & Collaborations: Collaborations include Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, MITRE Corporation (JASON group), and the Washington University Laboratory for Ultrasonics. His experimental work spans rheology of soft matter, plasma physics, and ultrasonic scattering in suspensions.