Sarah Ballard

Sarah Ballard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Florida. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University (2012) and a B.Sc. from UC Berkeley (2007). Her research focuses on observational studies of exoplanets, particularly statistical analyses of planetary populations around small stars like M dwarfs. She investigates how these systems form, evolve, and host potential habitable environments. Ballard leads projects such as the MINERVA-Australis initiative, which combines radial velocity and photometric observations to study exoplanet systems, especially those discovered by NASA’s TESS mission.

Her academic journey includes postdoctoral roles at the University of Washington (NASA Carl Sagan Fellow) and MIT (Torres Fellow for Exoplanetary Science). She explores topics like planetary system stability, atmospheric characteristics, and the prevalence of compact multi-planet systems. Ballard’s work bridges observational astronomy with theoretical models to understand exoplanet demographics and their implications for life beyond Earth.

Ballard’s research also addresses questions about the timescales of planetary system dynamics and the influence of stellar activity on transit detection. She collaborates on large datasets from missions like Kepler and TESS to refine methods for identifying and characterizing exoplanets. Her contributions span both technical tool development (e.g., the 'zoomies' age inference tool) and interdisciplinary studies involving clinical trials for addiction research, showcasing her versatility in applying astronomical methodologies to diverse fields.