Lucy Ziurys

Lucy Ziurys is a Regents' Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry & Astronomy at the University of Arizona, affiliated with Steward Observatory and the Arizona Radio Observatory. Her research focuses on astrochemistry, particularly phosphorus and iron chemistry in the interstellar medium (ISM), molecular life cycles in evolved stars, and prebiotic chemistry. She combines high-resolution laboratory spectroscopy with observational studies of red supergiants like VY Canis Majoris and planetary nebulae. Dr. Ziurys leads instrumentation projects at the Arizona Radio Observatory and has received the prestigious LAD Career Prize for her work bridging laboratory and astrophysical spectroscopy.

Her studies employ cutting-edge techniques such as millimeter-wave spectroscopy and ALMA imaging to explore molecular complexity in stellar outflows, isotopic ratios, and the origins of biogenic elements. Key contributions include detecting novel interstellar molecules like FeC and elucidating phosphorus pathways in cosmic environments. The Ziurys Group designs custom instruments to measure unstable astrophysical species, advancing our understanding of Galactic chemical evolution and the chemistry of life's building blocks.

• Awards: LAD Career Prize (2019)
• Labs/Teams: Ziurys Research Group, Arizona Radio Observatory
• Instrumentation: Millimeter-wave spectroscopy, ALMA receivers