Luca Cortese

Luca Cortese is a Professor at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) at The University of Western Australia. He currently serves as interim Science Director and Director of the Graduate Program at ICRAR's UWA node. Cortese obtained a joint PhD from the University of Milan-Bicocca (Italy) and Aix-Marseille Université (France). His career includes postdoctoral roles at Cardiff University, European Southern Observatory, and Swinburne University before joining UWA in 2015 as a Senior Research Fellow. He held an ARC Future Fellowship from 2018 to 2022.

Education:

• PhD in Physics & Astronomy, University of Milan-Bicocca (2005)
• PhD in Rayonnemant & Plasmas, Aix-Marseille Université (2005)

Research Interests:

Cortese specializes in observational extragalactic astronomy, focusing on galaxy evolution and star formation using multi-wavelength datasets. His work examines physical properties of galaxies, environmental effects, and the interstellar medium. Key areas include studying the impact of environment on galaxy evolution through legacy surveys like GALEX, Herschel, and Arecibo. He explores atomic and molecular gas dynamics, particularly in nearby galaxies, and their role in star formation processes.

Recent Research Outputs (2025):

• Investigating kinematic properties of HI gas as star-forming tracers in nearby galaxies
• Mapping HI emission in edge-on galaxies using interferometry
• Gas scaling relations in stellar discs via WALLABY pilot surveys
• Comparing HI detection asymmetries with SIMBA simulations

These studies highlight his focus on galactic structure and evolution, utilizing cutting-edge observational techniques.

Awards and Recognition:

• Vainu Bappu Gold Medal (2017)
• ASTRO 3D Best Conference/Workshop Award (2019)
• Swinburne Vice-Chancellor's Award (2014)

Grants and Mentorship:

Cortese leads multiple research grants, including the ARC-funded "Why do galaxies stop forming stars?" project. He mentors students in observational astronomy and chairs ICRAR's DEI committee, advocating for equity in science. His mentorship program supports early-career researchers in astrophysics.

Labs and Collaborations:

As part of ICRAR, he collaborates on large-scale projects like the WALLABY survey. His work involves international teams analyzing data from facilities like the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP).