Carl Fields is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Astronomy, University of Arizona, and an Assistant Astronomer at Steward Observatory. His research focuses on computational and nuclear astrophysics, particularly the evolution and explosions of massive stars, their gravitational wave signatures, and multi-messenger signals. He previously held a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratory in the Computational Physics and Methods (CCS-2) and Eulerian Codes (XCP-2) Divisions. He is actively involved in developing MESA-Web , a widely used educational tool for stellar evolution modeling. Extreme Astrophysics & Gravity Stars and Stellar Astrophysics Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Transient and Time Domain Astronomy Scientific recognition includes being named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 in Science and receiving the RPF Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship. His work bridges theoretical astrophysics with advanced computational methods for modeling supernovae and compact object formation. Carl Fields leads the Theory, Data and Computation Group at Steward Observatory, contributing to cutting-edge research in gravitational collapse and stellar evolution. He maintains collaborative ties with Los Alamos National Laboratory and the stellar astrophysics community at UW-Madison through his work on MESA-Web .
Stephen Eikenberry is a Professor of Optics & Photonics Physics at CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Astronomy from Harvard University (1997), a Sherman Fairchild Postdoctoral Prize Fellowship at Caltech, and prior tenured roles at Cornell University and the University of Florida. His research focuses on black holes, neutron stars, gravitational waves, and astronomical instrumentation, with applications in biomedical imaging and spectroscopy. Key professional milestones include the 2016 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (as part of the LIGO Science Consortium), the NSF CAREER Award (2000), and multiple University of Florida Research Foundation Professorships. He has designed advanced optical instruments and contributed to LIGO's gravitational wave discoveries. Eikenberry's research group explores astrophotonics, dark energy, and extrasolar planets. His recent work includes analyzing gravitational wave data from LIGO/Virgo and developing lunar occultation missions. He advises multiple graduate students and collaborates on international projects like the PolyOculus Array (OPA!). Education: Ph.D. in Astronomy, Harvard University (1997) Postdoctoral Fellowship at Caltech (Sherman Fairchild Prize) Awards: Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (2016) Gruber Prize for Cosmology (2016) UK Royal Astronomical Society Team Achievement Award (2016) His publications emphasize gravitational wave astronomy, cosmology, and instrument design. He has pioneered methods to constrain cosmic expansion using gravitational wave 'standard sirens' and studies correlations between fast radio bursts and gravitational wave events.
Nadia Zakamska is a Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Johns Hopkins University and serves as Vice Chair for Academics. She holds a PhD from Princeton University and has held fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study and Stanford University. Her research focuses on observational and theoretical astrophysics, including quasar-driven galactic winds, stellar variability, binary systems, and the co-evolution of supermassive black holes and galaxies. Her work leverages cutting-edge facilities like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Key research areas include: (1) Discovery of galactic winds powered by supermassive black holes, which influence galaxy formation and star formation suppression. (2) Exploration of variable astrophysical phenomena using surveys like LSST and WISE, with a focus on binary stars, white dwarfs, and neutron star mergers. (3) Analysis of dual quasars and their role in galaxy mergers. Recent achievements include detecting extreme outflows in 'extremely red quasars' and using JWST to study starburst galaxies. Zakamska has mentored over 30 graduate and undergraduate students, many of whom have pursued postdoctoral roles at prestigious institutions. She leads the JWST Early Release Science Program Q3D and collaborates on projects like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-V). Awards include the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize (2014), Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2011–2013), and JHU Catalyst Award (2016).
Dr. Steven Parsons is a Lecturer in Astrophysics and an Ernest Rutherford Fellow at the University of Sheffield's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on white dwarf stars and their binary systems, particularly eclipsing binaries that provide precise measurements of stellar properties. As part of the astronomy group, he contributes to understanding stellar evolution, binary star interactions, and the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae. Dr. Parsons received his academic training at: MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Kent (2008) PhD at the University of Warwick under Professor Tom Marsh Dr. Parsons specializes in the study of white dwarfs - the incredibly dense remnants of dead stars that have masses similar to the Sun but are only Earth-sized. His research particularly focuses on white dwarfs in binary systems, especially those that eclipse, allowing precise measurements of their properties. He uses telescopes worldwide to investigate these systems to better understand stellar structure, composition, and evolution. A key aspect of his work involves searching for progenitors of Type Ia supernovae in our Galaxy to determine how these white dwarfs gain mass to reach the Chandrasekhar limit and explode, which has implications for cosmological distance measurements. Dr. Parsons' publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on white dwarf binary systems, with particular emphasis on eclipsing binaries that allow precise mass and radius measurements. His work spans observational studies using ground-based and space telescopes, theoretical modeling of binary evolution, and large-scale surveys to identify and characterize white dwarf systems. Recent work shows increasing involvement with major astronomical surveys like Gaia and TESS, expanding the scope of his research to larger stellar populations and connecting observational data with theoretical models of stellar evolution. Dr. Parsons has received several prestigious fellowships supporting his research: ESO/Comite Mixto Post Doctoral fellowship at Universidad de Valparaiso FONDECYT Post Doctoral fellowship Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship As an active researcher in the astronomy group at Sheffield, Dr. Parsons collaborates extensively with international teams on white dwarf research. His work with the HiPERCAM project demonstrates his involvement in cutting-edge instrumentation for high-speed astronomy. While specific student advisement details aren't provided, his role as Astronomy L2 Year Tutor indicates significant involvement in undergraduate education and mentorship. His research connects with broader efforts to understand stellar evolution and the role of binary systems in shaping the final stages of stellar life. Dr. Parsons is a key contributor to the 'white dwarf binary pathways survey' which systematically investigates the evolution of white dwarf binary systems. His work connects observational astronomy with theoretical models of binary star evolution, particularly focusing on post-common envelope binaries and systems that may lead to Type Ia supernovae. The team utilizes data from major observatories worldwide and space-based missions to build comprehensive understanding of these stellar systems, with implications for fundamental astrophysics and cosmology.
Jo Bovy is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Galactic Astrophysics at the University of Toronto's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. He specializes in galactic dynamics, dark matter, and the structural evolution of the Milky Way, leveraging large-scale surveys like Gaia and APOGEE. His research focuses on using kinematic and chemical data to trace galactic formation processes and dark matter distribution. Bovy is the lead developer of the galpy software library for galactic dynamics and co-authored a forthcoming textbook Dynamics and Astrophysics of Galaxies (Princeton UP, 2026). He has held leadership roles in the APOGEE survey and its successor APOGEE-2, advancing infrared spectroscopic studies of the Milky Way's bulge and disk. His accolades include the Sloan Fellowship (2016), Vera Rubin Prize (2019), and Steacie Prize (2024). Bovy advocates for open-source scientific software, with extensive contributions to projects like astroNN and pynbody. Education: Ph.D. 2011, New York University. Research emphasizes data-driven approaches, including machine learning for stellar age estimation and probabilistic density modeling. Active in international collaborations such as Euclid and SDSS-V. Currently exploring the implications of dark matter self-interactions on stellar streams and refining measurements of Galactic fundamental parameters through acceleration-based methods. Key contributions include modeling Galactic vertical motion dynamics, analyzing GD-1 stream disruptions via N-body simulations, and developing frameworks for chemodynamical tagging of dissolved star clusters. His work bridges theoretical modeling with observational data, fostering interdisciplinary advancements in astrophysical data analysis. Awards: Price Prize (2010) Rutherford Memorial Medal (2021) CAP Herzberg Medal (2025) Grants/Advising: Leads major survey initiatives and mentors researchers in computational astrophysics. Current projects include Euclid's Early Release Observations and Gaia Data Analysis.
Professor Stuart Littlefair is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on Interacting binary stars , Brown dwarfs and low-mass stars , Star formation , and High time resolution astrophysics . He contributes to projects like the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO), which detects transient astrophysical events. His work bridges observational astronomy and theoretical modeling, emphasizing multi-messenger astronomy and gravitational wave source identification. Research interests include studying accretion processes in compact binaries, AGN variability, and transient phenomena like gamma-ray bursts. Recent publications highlight his involvement in analyzing high-cadence optical/X-ray data (e.g., NGC 4395 AGN variability studies) and discovering peculiar systems such as inflated brown dwarfs in eclipsing binaries. He collaborates internationally, serving on committees like the ESO Observing Programmes Committee and the LSST:UK Board. Teaching activities include PHY241 Observational Astronomy . Professional roles include leading the Astrophysics Research Cluster and contributing to departmental administration (e.g., Head of Second Year Astrophysics). His work supports the University of Sheffield's astronomy infrastructure, including the GOTO telescope array.
Irene Tamborra is a Professor at the Niels Bohr Institute (University of Copenhagen) and leads the Particle Astrophysics group . She holds the Mercator Fellow visiting professorship at the Max Planck Institutes for Physics and Astrophysics in Garching, Germany. Her research bridges astrophysics and particle physics, focusing on multi-messenger astronomy through neutrinos , gravitational waves , and photons . Current research themes include: Stellar explosions (supernovae, gamma-ray bursts) Neutrino flavor evolution in extreme environments Physics beyond the Standard Model using astrophysical probes Nucleosynthesis of heavy elements Recent work (2024-2025) explores neutrino production mechanisms in compact transients, fast flavor instabilities , and multi-messenger signatures of stellar collapses. She collaborates extensively with institutions in Germany, Spain, and the US. Scientific awards: MERAC Prize (European Astronomical Society) Duggal Award (IUPAP) ERC Consolidator Award She leads the Particle Astrophysics group at the Niels Bohr Institute and contributes to supernova neutrino theory , neutrino quantum kinetics , and cosmic accelerators analysis.
Assoc. Prof. Ondřej Pejcha is an active researcher at the Institute of Theoretical Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague. His work focuses on connecting theoretical modeling, observational astronomy, and data science to understand time-domain phenomena in stellar systems, particularly binary stars and their evolution. Dr. Pejcha's research spans computational astrophysics, with emphasis on (radiation)(magneto)hydrodynamics simulations of binary star systems, common envelope evolution, and stellar mergers. His group develops advanced numerical methods to study transients such as stellar mergers and core-collapse supernovae, persistent variable sources including eclipsing binaries and pulsating stars, and stellar dynamics. They combine supercomputer simulations with semi-analytic models and machine learning techniques applied to astronomical data from surveys like ASAS-SN. The analysis of Dr. Pejcha's recent publications reveals a strong focus on computational approaches to binary star evolution, with increasing integration of machine learning methods in the latest works. His research addresses fundamental questions about common envelope evolution, mass transfer processes, and the connection between theoretical models and observational signatures in time-domain astronomy. ERC Consolidator grant for ROGALLO project (developing new simulation methods for binary stars) ERC Starting grant for Cat-In-hAT project (computational methods for binary star mergers) Czech Science Foundation grant for studying mass transfer in binaries Czech-American collaboration grant for ASAS-SN survey participation Primus award PRIMUS/SCI/17 from Charles University Dr. Pejcha actively mentors PhD students and postdocs, with recent advisees including Jakub Cehula and Milan Pešta. His group has secured substantial funding that supports internationally competitive salaries, dedicated computing resources including a specialized cluster with upcoming GPU enhancements, and travel funds. Alumni from his group have successfully obtained competitive postdoctoral positions and national/international fellowships. The group maintains strong international connections, regularly collaborating with institutions including Princeton University, Brown University, MPA Garching, and Warsaw University Observatory.
Dan Wik is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Utah . His research focuses on observational X-ray astronomy, particularly galaxy clusters, inverse Compton scattering, X-ray binaries, and the X-ray background. He has extensive experience in data calibration, analysis tool development, and mission collaborations such as NuSTAR, Chandra, and XRISM. Wik holds a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Virginia (2010) and a BS in Astrophysics from Ohio University . His research interests span galaxy cluster mergers, nonthermal emission processes, high-energy astrophysics, and cross-calibration studies between X-ray observatories. Recent articles highlight his work on NuSTAR observations of galaxy clusters, X-ray binary populations in M31 and M33, inverse Compton emission constraints, and stray light background analysis techniques. His studies often integrate multiwavelength data and address cosmological implications of X-ray observations. Wik has received multiple grants from NASA for projects like Time Domain X-ray Studies of AGN and Hard Bandpass Extension of XRISM Cluster Observations . He supervises undergraduate and graduate researchers and teaches courses from general education to advanced graduate levels, including Foundations of Astronomy and High Energy Astrophysics .
Dacheng Lin is a Research Professor in the Department of Physics at Northeastern University (NU), where he has held this position since December 2020. Previously, he served as a Research Scientist at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) from 2014 to 2017, later becoming a Research Assistant Professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics and the Space Science Center within the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space. His academic journey includes a PhD in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2009) and an undergraduate degree from the University of Science and Technology of China. Dr. Lin specializes in high-energy astrophysics, focusing on black hole candidates, neutron star accretion processes, tidal disruption events, and X-ray astronomy. His research leverages multiwavelength observations and advanced spectroscopic techniques to study phenomena such as ultraluminous X-ray sources, magnetar-powered transients, and stellar disruption dynamics. Notable contributions include identifying intermediate-mass black hole candidates in dwarf galaxies and analyzing prolonged tidal disruption events. His work integrates cutting-edge telescopes like Chandra and XMM-Newton, emphasizing transient event detection and source classification. While no formal awards are listed, his research has garnered attention, including a feature in Northeastern’s news for discovering high-energy signals from billions of light years away. Dr. Lin’s advising and grant activities remain unspecified in the provided texts, though his prior roles at UNH suggest involvement in collaborative research teams and observational projects. Dr. Lin’s affiliations and research reflect a deep engagement with extragalactic phenomena and compact object astrophysics, contributing to our understanding of accretion physics and high-energy transients in the universe.
David Williams-Baldwin is an e-MERLIN Operations Support Scientist at the University of Manchester's School of Physics and Astronomy, where he has worked since 2020. He is a member of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Theory Group and contributes to major radio astronomy surveys including LeMMINGs and ThunderKAT. His educational background includes: Undergraduate studies at University of Southampton (2010-2014) PhD at University of Southampton (2014-2018) Hintze Fellow in Radio Transients (2018-2020) As a dedicated radio astronomer, Williams-Baldwin focuses on black holes (both supermassive and Galactic), the physics of astrophysical jets, and variable/transient radio phenomena. His research investigates accretion processes onto compact objects and their resulting outflows. He utilizes the e-MERLIN array for high-resolution studies that remove contamination from non-accretion-related activities while providing dynamic response for rapidly varying transient sources. His work contributes to understanding fundamental astrophysical processes across multiple scales. Williams-Baldwin's publication record shows consistent contributions to black hole and transient astronomy, with particular focus on observational studies of X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei. His research often involves multi-wavelength approaches and leverages advanced radio telescope capabilities to study accretion physics and related phenomena. His notable recognition includes: Hintze Fellow in Radio Transients (2018-2020) As an e-MERLIN Operations Support Scientist, Williams-Baldwin plays a key role in supporting observational programs while conducting his own research. He is heavily involved in the Legacy e-MERLIN survey (LeMMINGs) which provides a statistically-complete census of accretion and star formation in nearby galaxies, and is a member of ThunderKAT, a survey program with MeerKAT studying explosive and transient radio phenomena. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to scientific advancement and understanding of our universe. He works within the e-MERLIN Science Support Group at Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, collaborating with international teams on major surveys that advance our understanding of compact objects and transient phenomena in the universe.
Samir D. Mathur is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Ohio State University. His research focuses on high energy theory, string theory, and black hole physics, particularly addressing the black hole information paradox through the fuzzball paradigm. He has taught advanced courses such as String Theory (Physics 880) and contributed to resolving foundational questions in quantum gravity and black hole thermodynamics. Education: Ph.D. Physics, University of Bombay, 1987 M.S. Physics, IIT Kanpur, 1981 Research Interests: Mathur's work centers on resolving the black hole information paradox via the fuzzball framework, which replaces traditional black holes with horizon-scale structures in string theory. His contributions include exploring microstate geometries, holography, and the implications of string theory on black hole thermodynamics. He challenges classical black hole concepts by proposing fuzzballs as non-singular objects that preserve information without requiring firewalls or remnants. Publications & Trends: His recent work emphasizes fuzzball thermodynamics, the universality of black hole properties, and contrasting fuzzball models with wormholes. Key topics include gravitational wave echoes, vacuum elasticity, and CFT analysis in the D1-D5 system. Awards: Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, Ohio State University, 2003 Advising & Grants: No explicitly listed advisees, but he teaches graduate courses and contributes to research groups exploring string theory and black hole microstates. Labs/Teams: Leads a research group focused on string theory applications to black holes and quantum gravity at Ohio State University's Physics Research Building.
Ilaria Caiazzo is an Assistant Professor of Astrophysics at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria . Her research focuses on stellar evolution, compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes), and X-ray polarization studies. She leads observational campaigns using missions like JWST, IXPE, and Gaia, and collaborates on theoretical models for magnetar emission and accreting X-ray pulsars. Her work includes the discovery of an ultramassive white dwarf (ZTF J1901+1458) and breakthroughs in magnetar polarization measurements. She is also a key contributor to the Colibrì X-ray telescope mission proposal as Project Scientist. Research Interests: Stellar Evolution in Star Clusters X-ray Polarization of Compact Objects White Dwarf Formation and Structure Accretion Processes in Neutron Stars QED Effects in Strong Magnetic Fields Her recent work includes the first IXPE observations of magnetars (Science, 2022) and contributions to JWST Cycle 1 observing programs targeting ancient stellar systems like 47 Tucanae. She has also produced influential publications in Nature and Astrophysical Journal , advancing our understanding of stellar remnants and their extreme physical conditions. Awards: While no explicit honors are listed, her high-impact publications and leadership in major missions highlight her scholarly contributions. Grants and Collaborations: Approved HST (Cycle 29) and JWST (Cycle 1) programs, IXPE collaboration member, and Colibrì mission team leader. Her work integrates large surveys (ZTF, Gaia) with cutting-edge instrumentation. Labs/Teams: Active in the Colibrì mission consortium and IXPE science working groups, focusing on X-ray polarimetry and compact object studies.
Evan Patrick O'Connor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Astronomy at Stockholm University. His research focuses on computational astrophysics, particularly core-collapse supernovae, neutrino physics, and black hole formation. He leads research in the Computational Astrophysics group at the Department of Astronomy, where development of computational tools spans research areas from solar physics to cosmology. Dr. O'Connor received his Ph.D. from Caltech in the TAPIR group, following a bachelor's degree in Science (Physics, Honours, Co-op) from the University of Prince Edward Island. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Canadian Institute of Astrophysics from 2012-2014 and a Hubble Fellow at North Carolina State University from 2014-2017 before joining Stockholm University. His research interests span computational astrophysics with a focus on core-collapse supernovae mechanisms, black hole formation, neutrino physics, gravitational waves, and the nuclear equation of state. He develops and utilizes sophisticated computational models to study the dynamics of compact objects and their connection to detailed microphysics. His work often involves multimessenger approaches, connecting theoretical models with potential observational signatures across neutrino, electromagnetic, and gravitational wave channels. Dr. O'Connor has made significant contributions to open-source scientific software development, creating tools like NuLib, GR1D, and various equation of state resources that have become valuable community resources. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on understanding the complex interplay between stellar structure, nuclear physics, and explosion mechanisms in core-collapse supernovae. His research increasingly incorporates multi-dimensional effects, phase transitions in dense matter, and their observational consequences across multiple messenger channels. Recent work shows growing attention to data-driven approaches for connecting simulations with potential observations. Dr. O'Connor has received notable recognition including: Hubble Fellowship (2014-2017) He has developed and maintains several open-source tools including NuLib (neutrino interaction library), GR1D (spherically-symmetric general-relativistic hydrodynamics code), and various equation of state resources. His research group collaborates extensively with international teams studying supernova mechanisms and related phenomena, contributing to projects like SNEWS (Supernova Early Warning System). Dr. O'Connor leads the Computational Astrophysics group at Stockholm University's Department of Astronomy, which develops computational tools spanning research areas from solar physics to cosmology. The group maintains strong connections with international supernova research communities and contributes to global efforts in multi-messenger astronomy.
Ben Margalit is an active Assistant Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota, specializing in theoretical astrophysics with a focus on high-energy transient phenomena. His research centers on time-domain astronomy, particularly neutron star mergers, gravitational-wave events, fast radio bursts, gamma-ray bursts, and supernovae. His research interests span theoretical astrophysics with emphasis on radiative processes , compact objects , neutron star equation-of-state , circumstellar interaction , non-thermal emission , accretion , nuclear astrophysics , and various types of shocks in astrophysical environments. His work integrates theoretical modeling with observational data to understand extreme cosmic events. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on fast radio bursts (FRBs) and their host environments, with significant work on neutron star physics, shock dynamics, and multi-wavelength observations of transients. His research shows increasing emphasis on connecting theoretical models with observational constraints from facilities like CHIME. Dr. Margalit currently leads two major research projects: Accurately Modeling Emission from Fast, Mildly-Relativistic Transients funded by the National Science Foundation (2025-2028) and Not so heavy metal: an enhanced rate of SLSNe at Cosmic Noon funded by Research Corporation (2025-2026), demonstrating substantial grant acquisition capability. He is affiliated with the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics and collaborates extensively with researchers globally, particularly in the fast radio burst community. His work contributes significantly to understanding high-energy transient phenomena and their underlying physical mechanisms in the universe.
