Sharon Meidt van der Wel

Sharon Meidt van der Wel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the Faculty of Sciences at Ghent University. Her research focuses on extragalactic astronomy, with particular expertise in galaxy structure, spiral arms, star formation processes, and interstellar medium dynamics. She maintains an active research program with numerous publications in top astronomy journals including Astronomy & Astrophysics and the Astrophysical Journal.

Her research interests center on understanding the physical processes governing galaxy evolution, with special attention to spiral structure, gas dynamics in galactic disks, and star formation regulation. She employs both observational techniques (particularly with ALMA, HST, and JWST) and theoretical modeling to investigate how galactic environments influence the star formation process. Her work frequently examines the role of spiral arms, bars, and other large-scale structures in driving gas flows and triggering star formation.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on the PHANGS (Physics at High Angular resolution in Nearby GalaxieS) survey data, particularly the integration of JWST observations with other multi-wavelength datasets. Her research spans observational studies of individual galaxies like NGC 1097, M 83, and NGC 628 to broader statistical analyses of galaxy samples. A recurring theme is understanding how galactic dynamics (particularly spiral arms and bars) influence the distribution of gas and subsequent star formation.

• Principal investigator for research project 'Dynamics of galactic disks' (2025-2026)
• Supervisor for PhD research on 'Dust transport out of the galaxy disk and dust destruction in the circumgalactic medium'
• Active participant in major observational campaigns including PHANGS and JWST studies

Her work demonstrates strong collaboration across international astronomy teams, with frequent co-authorship with leading researchers in the field. She contributes to both observational data analysis and methodological development, particularly in the area of measuring galactic pattern speeds and understanding gas dynamics in spiral galaxies.