Rose A. Finn

Rose A. Finn is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Siena University, serving since 2005 as the first tenure-track woman in the Physics Department. Her research focuses on extragalactic astronomy, specifically environmental influences on galaxy evolution through multi-wavelength observations of clusters and groups.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Arizona (2003)
• M.S. in Physics from Dartmouth College
• B.A. in Astronomy-Physics from the University of Virginia

Dr. Finn investigates star formation, gas content, and metallicity across cosmic environments. She employs H-alpha surveys, infrared imaging, and spectroscopy to study galaxy evolution in clusters, utilizing facilities like Spitzer and ground-based telescopes. Her methodology emphasizes environmental context in understanding galactic properties.

She leads major projects including the Virgo Filament Survey, Local Cluster Survey, and Undergraduate ALFALFA Team, which examine filamentary structures, dust disks, and star formation in nearby systems. Her recent publications (2009-2013) consistently explore intermediate-redshift clusters through H-alpha and infrared techniques, revealing evolutionary trends in star formation and environmental interactions.

Dr. Finn's accolades include:

• NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Post-doctoral Fellowship
• NSF CAREER award
• Space Grant Fellowship
• NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program fellowship

She mentors undergraduate researchers through the ALFALFA project and classroom instruction, emphasizing active learning. Her sustained research program is funded by multiple NSF and NASA grants supporting observational campaigns on galaxy evolution. The Breyo Observatory's 0.7-m Planewave telescope serves as her campus-based research hub, while collaborations like the ESO Distant Cluster Survey extend her work to international facilities.