Josefin Larsson

Josefin Larsson is a Professor of Astrophysics and Deputy Head of the Department of Particle and Astrophysical Sciences and Medical Imaging at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. She holds prestigious titles including Wallenberg Scholar and membership in the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and compact objects, with a strong emphasis on multiwavelength observations of SN 1987A using facilities like JWST and Hubble.

Education: MSc from Lund University, PhD from the University of Cambridge, and a postdoc at Stockholm University.

Research Interests:
• Supernova remnants and their dynamics
• Gamma-ray burst mechanisms
• Formation and evolution of compact objects
• Dust evolution in stellar explosions
• Multiwavelength analysis of stellar ejecta

Key Findings: Recent JWST observations of SN 1987A revealed new insights into ejecta dynamics, dust destruction in the equatorial ring, and potential signatures of a compact object. Collaborative efforts using Hubble and ALMA data have advanced understanding of shock propagation and molecular structures within supernova remnants.

Awards:

• Wallenberg Scholar (prestigious Swedish research award)
• Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Teaching & Mentorship: Responsible for courses in astroparticle physics, advanced astrophysics, and engineering physics. Actively involved in guiding degree projects across multiple disciplines.

Labs & Collaborations: Leads a research group utilizing cutting-edge telescopes and observatories. Collaborations include international teams analyzing JWST/NIRCam, Hubble, and ALMA data to study supernova evolution and cosmic phenomena.