Sergi R. Hildebrandt

Sergi R. Hildebrandt is a Lecturer in Physics and Visiting Faculty Associate at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), within the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. He also serves as a Research Scientist in the Astrophysics Element at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), holding dual affiliations. His research focuses on weak lensing, generative AI applications in astronomy, cosmic microwave background (CMB) data analysis, exoplanet imaging via space-based instruments like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and Starshade, and gravitational physics involving black holes.

Education: PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Barcelona. Professional roles span JPL (2013–Present) and Caltech (2011–Present), including leadership in major collaborations such as the BICEP/Keck Array, Planck satellite mission, and the TMAS camera at Palomar Observatory. He is a core contributor to the Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph and Starshade imaging projects.

Research highlights include advancing CMB polarization studies, developing exoplanet imaging software (SISTER toolkit), and pioneering Starshade rendezvous simulations. His work bridges observational astronomy, instrumentation, and theoretical cosmology.

Awards: Multiple JPL and NASA awards for Planck and Roman Coronagraph contributions, the Cocconi Prize (2019), Gruber Cosmology Prize (2018), and Voyager Award (2018).

Grants & Labs: Principal Investigator of TMAS camera project at Palomar. Collaborates with international teams on CMB and exoplanet missions. Active in the HabEx mission concept and BICEP Array initiatives.