Tom Evans-Soma

Dr. Tom Evans-Soma is a Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's School of Information and Physical Sciences, specializing in observational astronomy with a focus on exoplanet atmospheres. He utilizes space telescopes (James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope) and ground-based observatories to study planetary diversity, climate, and habitability.

He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford (2010–2014), an MSc from the University of Sydney (2009–2010), and a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) from the Australian National University (2005–2008). His career includes positions as Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (2021–2025), Postdoctoral Associate at MIT (2018–2021), and Research Fellow at the University of Exeter (2015–2018).

His research explores the atmospheric composition and dynamics of exoplanets, including gas giants, sub-Neptunes, and potential 'water worlds.' Key interests include detecting biosignature gases, analyzing thermal emission/reflected light from exoplanets, and advancing techniques for imaging Earth-like planets. His work aims to understand planetary formation and the prevalence of life in the universe.

Recent publications leverage JWST and Hubble data to reveal atmospheric trends, disequilibrium chemistry, and aerosol formation across diverse exoplanet types. Studies frequently analyze ultra-hot Jupiters, warm Neptunes, and sub-Neptunes, emphasizing spectroscopic methods, statistical modeling, and multi-wavelength observations to decode chemical compositions and physical processes.

He leads research teams and collaborates globally with institutions like MIT, Max Planck Institute, and the University of Exeter. Future work focuses on characterizing habitable-zone exoplanets and contributing to next-generation space telescopes for direct imaging of Earth twins.