Stuart L. Shapiro

Stuart L. Shapiro is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a NCSA Senior Research Scientist. Previously, he held faculty positions at Cornell University from 1973 to 1995. He earned an A.B. in Astronomy from Harvard University (1969) and a Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University (1973). His research focuses on theoretical astrophysics and general relativity, including black holes, neutron stars, gravitational waves, and relativistic magnetohydrodynamics.

Shapiro pioneered computational methods in numerical relativity, co-developing the BSSN formalism and advancing simulations of compact object mergers. He is renowned for coining terms like 'supramassive' and 'hypermassive' neutron stars and for exploring gravitational wave generation via LIGO/LISA. His work integrates supercomputing, analytical modeling, and visualization to address fundamental questions in astrophysics.

Recipient of the Hans A. Bethe Prize (2017), he has authored a seminal textbook Black Holes, White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars (1983) and led a vibrant research group training undergraduates and graduate students. His research group’s simulations visualize phenomena such as black hole formation and neutron star mergers, bridging theory with observational astronomy.