Robert Izzard

Robert Izzard is a Senior Lecturer in the Astrophysics Group at the University of Surrey, with affiliations to the experimental nuclear physics group. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge (2004) and a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (2018). His research focuses on binary star evolution, nucleosynthesis, computational astrophysics, and education outreach. Izzard leads the binary_c software framework, modeling stellar populations and their impact on galactic chemical evolution. His work spans topics like common-envelope evolution, gamma-ray burst progenitors, and the formation of planetary systems around binary stars. He has supervised numerous PhD students and contributes to projects like Stars for Schools, integrating coding and visualization for STEM education.

Research highlights include studies on the role of binary systems in aluminum-26 production, the impact of binaries on galaxy evolution via dust and metals, and the statistical analysis of core-collapse supernova progenitors. Izzard has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and secured grants from STFC and the Royal Society. His awards include the Lynne Millward Academic of the Year Award (2021). Teaching roles include Advanced Nuclear Astrophysics and supervision of final-year projects. Current projects explore pulsational pair-instability supernovae and X-ray binaries in the early universe.

His research network includes collaborations with institutions like the University of Bonn, Monash University, and the ERC-funded Asterochronometry project. Key tools developed include the binary_c-python interface and the MINT interpolation library for stellar evolution models.