Yan Fernandez

Dr. Yan Fernandez is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Central Florida, specializing in comets, asteroids, and solar system formation. His research examines compositional properties and evolutionary processes of small bodies to understand primordial conditions in the solar nebula.

Research explores cometary activity mechanisms, volatile outgassing patterns, and dynamical evolution of centaurs using ground/space-based observatories including JWST. Key methodologies include spectral analysis and thermal modeling.

Recent publications focus on JWST observations of Centaur outgassing, DART impact effects, and Oort cloud comet characterization. Research consistently addresses connections between small body properties and solar system origins.

Awards: Spitzer Fellowship for advanced planetary research.