Robert A. Simcoe

Robert A. Simcoe is the Francis L. Friedman Professor of Physics and Director of the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. He specializes in studying the earliest stars and galaxies using custom-built spectrometers at major observatories like the Magellan Telescopes. His research focuses on spectroscopy of the early universe, intergalactic matter physics, explosive astrophysical events linked to gravitational waves, and the design of advanced astronomical instruments.

Simcoe earned his undergraduate degree at Caltech, where he contributed to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, before completing his PhD at Caltech under Wal Sargent. He joined MIT in 2006 after a postdoctoral fellowship. Key instruments developed by his team include the FIRE infrared spectrometer and the upcoming LLAMAS hyperspectral imager. He also leads preparations for James Webb Space Telescope observations.

• Affiliations: MIT Physics Department, MIT Kavli Institute
• Labs: Simcoe Group (Extragalactic Observations), MIT Astronomical Instrumentation Team

His honors include the 2024 Maria & Eric Muhlmann Award for Instrumentation. Current projects include transient infrared surveys using InGaAs detectors and Magellan telescope collaborations.