Lauren Weiss

Lauren Weiss is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Notre Dame. Her research focuses on discovering and characterizing exoplanets using observational techniques, with an emphasis on understanding planetary system formation and exoplanet habitability. Key contributions include identifying the transition between rocky and volatile-enveloped planets at 1.5 Earth radii and discovering the 'peas in a pod' pattern in multi-planet systems. She leads NASA-funded projects at Keck Observatory, including the TESS-Keck Survey, and collaborates with the California Planet Search. Her work integrates radial velocity measurements, transit timing variations, and astroseismology.

• Education: B.A. in Astronomy & Astrophysics (Harvard University, 2010), M.Phil. in Astronomy (University of Cambridge, 2011), Ph.D. in Astronomy (University of California, Berkeley, 2016).
• Research Highlights: Principal Investigator of NASA-supported grants; observed over 160 nights on Keck-HIRES/KPF; pioneered studies of planet interior diversity and system dynamics.
• Grants & Collaborations: NASA/U. Hawaii Key Strategic Mission Support program; senior member of Keck Planet Hunters/California Planet Search; TESS-Keck Survey PI.

Her publications analyze planet masses, orbital dynamics, and system architectures, emphasizing statistical trends in exoplanet populations and their implications for formation theories.