Stanimir Metchev

Stanimir Metchev is a Full Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Western University's Faculty of Science. His research spans planetary science and astronomy, focusing on brown dwarfs, exoplanets, low-mass stars, and the solar system's Kuiper Belt. He utilizes space telescopes (Hubble, Spitzer, James Webb) and ground-based facilities (Gemini Observatory, Colibri Telescope Array) for observational studies.

• Co-Principal Investigator for the proposed Canadian POET (Polarized Exoplanet Transit) space mission
• Commissioned the CFI-funded Colibri Telescope Array at Elginfield Observatory (2022)
• Research themes include exoplanet characterization, brown dwarf analogs to giant planets, and time-domain stellar occultation surveys

His work aligns with Western University's collaborative specialization in Planetary Science & Exploration, emphasizing big data analytics and novel imaging techniques for both natural and artificial objects. Scientific recognition includes CSA grants and national mission endorsements.

• Primary affiliation: Faculty of Science, Physics and Astronomy Department
• Technical focus: Space telescopes, robotic observatories, debris disk studies