Ylva Pihlström

Overview

Ylva Pihlström is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of New Mexico (UNM). She specializes in radio astronomy, focusing on Active Galactic Nuclei, starburst galaxies, Galactic and extragalactic masers, and radio interferometry techniques, including Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). Her work with the Long Wavelength Array (LWA) contributes to low-frequency radio astronomy research.

Education

Ph.D. in Radio and Space Science, Chalmers University of Technology (2001). Thesis: Radio Studies of Circumnuclear Gas in Active Galaxies. M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology (1996).

Professional Roles

• Associate Chair for Undergraduate Affairs, UNM Physics and Astronomy (2021–present)
• Adjunct Astronomer, National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) (2007–present)
• Associate Director, Center for Advanced Research Computing (2021–2023)
• Director, UNM Campus Observatory (2016–present)

Research Highlights

Her research includes the Bulge Asymmetries and Dynamical Evolution (BAaDE) survey, mapping SiO maser stars in the Galactic bulge, and studying supernova remnants interacting with molecular clouds. She also investigates proto-planetary nebulae using water masers to probe their dynamics.

Grants and Funding

• 2023–2025: NASA-funded LWA Technology Upgrades
• 2021–2023: NASA grant for infrared analysis of AGB star mass-loss
• 2016–2023: NSF-funded projects on Galactic bulge dynamics and LWA science

Service and Leadership

• Organized international conferences like IAU Symposium 380 (2021–2023)
• Member of committees for NRAO, ALMA, and NSF reviews
• Refereed papers for major journals (ApJ, AJ, A&A, MNRAS)

Teaching and Mentoring

Advisor to over 25 graduate and undergraduate students, including current advisees Rachel Weller (Ph.D.), Rajorshi Bhattacharya (Ph.D.), and undergraduate researchers Alex Craig and Braeden Fields.