Britney Schmidt is Associate Professor in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy at Cornell University, where she leads the Planetary Habitability and Technology Lab. She develops robotic tools like the Icefin underwater vehicle to study Earth's ice shelves and glaciers, providing insights into climate change and analogs for ocean worlds like Europa. Her research bridges glaciology, planetary science, and astrobiology. Research focuses on ocean world habitability, ice-ocean interactions, and Antarctic climate systems. Fieldwork includes extensive campaigns in Antarctica and the Arctic using robotic explorers. Recent publications explore Europa's habitability, Thwaites Glacier dynamics, microbial communities in hypersaline environments, and planetary analog studies. Technical developments include novel instrumentation for under-ice exploration. Awarded the 2024 Blavatnik National Award for groundbreaking research. Leads multiple international collaborations including NASA's Europa Clipper mission and Thwaites Glacier projects.
Paul Wiegert is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Western Ontario , where he has been since 1996 after positions at York University and Queen's University. He is a member of the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration (IESX) and the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX) . His research spans asteroid dynamics , exoplanet systems , and celestial mechanics , with notable work on Earth co-orbital asteroids like (3753) Cruithne and Earth's first Trojan asteroid 2010 TK7. Education : PhD in Astronomy (University of Toronto, 1996) Research Domains : Planetary Science, Astronomy, Big Data Analytics His recent publications focus on interstellar transport mechanisms , asteroid impact risks , and exomoon detection . Key findings include quantifying risks from asteroid 2024 YR4's potential lunar impact and demonstrating the feasibility of detecting alpha Centauri-origin material in our solar system. He actively supervises graduate students like Cole Gregg and participates in NSERC-funded summer research programs for undergraduates. For planetary defense, he has analyzed collision probabilities for Apophis and developed meteoroid hazard models for spacecraft. His work appears in Planetary Science Journal , Nature Astronomy , and Astrophysical Journal Letters , with media coverage in 60+ outlets and 126 X (Twitter) mentions .
Joachim Wambsganss is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Physics & Astronomy of the University of Heidelberg and serves as Director of the Astronomisches Rechen-Institut (ARI) and former Director of the Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg (ZAH) until 2015. Studied at Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, and Princeton University Doctorate in 1990 with supervisors Peter Schneider and Rudolf Kippenhahn Research Interests: Extrasolar planets via microlensing Quasar studies and dark matter distribution Gravitational lensing techniques eScience and open-access astrophysical data His group has advanced microlensing planet detection and lensed quasar analysis. He led the German Astrophysical Virtual Observatory (GAVO) within the International Virtual Observatory Alliance and organized public outreach projects like the 70-lecture series "Uni(versum) für alle!". Publications span exoplanets, gravitational lensing, dark matter, and quasars, with major contributions in microlensing techniques and planetary system demographics.
Miki Nakajima is an Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester. She holds a PhD from the California Institute of Technology. Her dual appointments reflect her interdisciplinary research in planetary science, combining geophysics, astrophysics, and computational modeling. Education: PhD in Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology Research Interests: Planetary Dynamics: Focuses on impact processes, planetary interior evolution, and moon/exomoon formation mechanisms. Specializes in modeling Enceladus plumes and Earth-Moon system origins. Numerical Simulations: Develops advanced computational tools like NcorpiON for collisional system modeling and N-body integration. Early Solar System: Investigates accretion processes, mantle differentiation, and volatile retention during terrestrial planet formation. Research Trends in Publications: Recent work emphasizes giant impact simulations (Moon formation), tungsten isotope systematics, and exomoon formation limitations. Her articles consistently integrate high-fidelity numerical models with geochemical observations. Advising & Grants: No advisees listed; her funding sources likely support computational infrastructure and space mission collaborations. Active in planetary science communities. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the University of Rochester's Earth and Environmental Sciences department, collaborating with astrophysics groups on interdisciplinary projects.
Christiane Helling is Full Professor in Weltraumwissenschaften (Space Sciences) at Graz University of Technology and Director of the Institute for Space Research Graz (IWF) at the Austrian Academy of Sciences. She previously held leadership roles at the University of St Andrews, including Director of the Centre for Exoplanet Science, and has been a Senior Scientist at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research. Habilitation in Astrophysics (TU Berlin) PhD in Astrophysics (TU Berlin, with distinction) Diploma in Physics (TU Berlin) Her research focuses on exoplanet and brown dwarf atmospheres, cloud microphysics, charge processes, and atmospheric chemistry. She integrates hydrodynamic simulations with space observations from missions like CHEOPS, JWST, and PLATO to map cloud distributions and study planetary climate. Her recent publications emphasize time-dependent cloud formation, thermodynamic disequilibrium in planetary disks, and exoplanet atmospheric characterization using space telescopes. Key collaborations include the CHAMELEON project (virtual laboratories for exoplanet atmospheres) and the MSG model for cloudy sub-stellar atmospheres. ERC Starting Grant (LEAP Project: Lightning, Electrical and Atmospheric Processes on exoplanets) Marie-Curie Innovative Training Network (CHAMELEON)
David Kipping is an Associate Professor of Astronomy at Columbia University. His research focuses on exoplanetary systems, particularly the detection of exomoons, stellar dynamics, and astrostatistics. He holds a B.A. and M.Sc. in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a Ph.D. from University College London. Before joining Columbia, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University through the Sagan and Menzel fellowships. His research interests include extrasolar planets, moons, and rings, as well as stellar rotation and granulation. He has pioneered methods for analyzing transit timing variations (TTVs) and detecting exomoons using Kepler and TESS data. Recent work has explored the rapid abiogenesis hypothesis and the orbital stability of planetary systems. Key contributions include the discovery of potential exomoon candidates and the development of tools like the 'Democratic Detrender' for photometric data analysis. His articles emphasize rigorous statistical methods and critique common analytical pitfalls in exoplanet studies. David advises three graduate students: Emily Sanford, Alex Teachey, and Moiya McTier. Though no specific grants or awards are listed, his work is supported through academic and space agency collaborations. His research also touches on SETI and astrobiology, addressing questions about the likelihood of extraterrestrial civilizations.
Markus Nielbock works at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) and the House of Astronomy (HdA), leading science communication initiatives. He develops educational materials for secondary schools, oversees public relations, contributes to the ESO Science Outreach Network, and supervises students in astronomy-related contexts. His career spans research, outreach, and teaching roles. PhD in physics and astronomy (2001) ESO Fellowship in Chile (2001-2003) Postdoctoral research at the University of Bochum (2003-2006) Project scientist for the Herschel Space Telescope at MPIA (2006-2015) Research associate at the House of Astronomy (2015-present) Public relations at MPIA (2018-present) Nielbock's research interests focus on astronomy education, science communication, exoplanet detection techniques, and historical navigation methods. He has developed instructional materials on topics like the transit and radial velocity methods, celestial navigation, and Earth's climate systems. His work bridges astrophysical research with accessible pedagogical resources. He has taught block courses on Introduction to Astronomy for Secondary School Teachers from WS 2016/17 to WS 2023/24, emphasizing practical applications of astronomy. His publications in Science in Schools and astroEDU cover subjects ranging from exoplanets to historical navigation and climate science. Nielbock is involved in organizing public lectures and events to promote astronomy. He collaborates with institutions like the ESO and contributes to educational projects such as Space for Education . His outreach includes media interviews on planetary science and space missions, available via Creative Commons licenses.
Geoffrey A. Blake is Professor of Cosmochemistry and Planetary Sciences and Professor of Chemistry at California Institute of Technology. His research investigates chemical and physical processes in natural environments ranging from the interstellar medium to living cells, focusing on stellar/planetary genesis, THz spectroscopy, and atmospheric characterization. Research interests include observational astrochemistry, terahertz spectroscopy of hydrogen-bonded materials, atmospheric biogeochemistry, and in situ characterization of planetary atmospheres. His group develops innovative spectroscopic tools across the THz region for remote sensing and laboratory studies. Blake's recent publications analyze molecular distributions in protoplanetary disks, exoplanet atmospheric compositions using JWST data, and high-contrast imaging techniques. Research consistently focuses on spectroscopic methods, disk chemistry, and substellar object characterization.
Lea Hirsch is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), affiliated with the Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences. Her research focuses on discovering and characterizing exoplanets using radial velocity and direct imaging methods, with particular emphasis on planetary orbits, brown dwarfs, and the effects of binary star systems on planet formation. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (2018). Her research interests include studying exoplanet demographics, occurrence rates, and the dynamics of planets in binary systems. She investigates how binary companions influence planetary formation and stability, leveraging statistical comparisons between single and binary star systems. She emphasizes innovative teaching methods in astronomy courses, integrating computational skills and problem-based learning. Lea collaborates extensively with projects like the TESS-Keck Survey and the California Legacy Survey, contributing to large-scale exoplanet detection and cataloging efforts. Her work bridges observational astronomy with planetary science, addressing fundamental questions about our galactic neighborhood and the prevalence of Earth-like worlds.
Kosmas Gazeas is a Lecturer of Observational Astrophysics in the Department of Physics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UOA), with prior research roles at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Netherlands. Since 2012, he has served as an ESA scientific consultant specializing in space optics, while conducting observational campaigns at the University of Athens Observatory (UOAO) using data from Hubble, CHEOPS, and TESS missions. Education: Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki MSc & PhD in Observational Astrophysics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Post-doctoral research, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Research Focus: Dr. Gazeas's work spans three interconnected domains: (1) Exoplanetary Systems —atmospheric characterization of hot Jupiters and mini-Neptunes, orbital dynamics, and exomoon searches; (2) Stellar Astrophysics —eclipsing binaries, blazars, supernovae, and asteroseismology; (3) Solar System Bodies —asteroids, trans-Neptunian objects, and comets. His methodology integrates space-based photometry with ground-based observations and emphasizes applied optics for astronomical instrumentation. Publication Trends: Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in CHEOPS-driven exoplanet research, particularly thermal inversion layers in exoplanet atmospheres and resonant planetary systems. Significant secondary efforts address blazar jet physics and rotational properties of ancient asteroid families, demonstrating methodological versatility across time-domain astrophysics through international collaborations (TESS, HARPS-N). Scientific Recognition: No formal awards are documented, though he was shortlisted among the top 500 global candidates in the 2008 ESA Astronaut Selection Process—a testament to his scientific caliber. Mentorship & Outreach: He mentors students at UOA, supervises UOAO observational projects, and spearheads public engagement via 'Public Nights - Astronomy for All' and the Athens Science Festival. His 'Planets In Your Hand' initiative provides tactile astronomy experiences for visually impaired audiences, reflecting deep commitment to science communication. Research Infrastructure: Primary observational work occurs at UOAO, with data analysis leveraging CHEOPS, TESS, and international facilities. He coordinates multinational teams for asteroid campaigns (e.g., Ancient Asteroids project) and contributes to space mission science teams.
Kiss László is the Director General of the Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences and a Research Professor at the Konkoly Observatory of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Born in 1972 in Subotica (Yugoslavia), he earned his PhD in 2000 and DSc in 2008 from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Elected a corresponding member in 2013 and full member in 2019 of the MTA, he specializes in astrophysics of stars and small celestial bodies. Research Focus: His work centers on extra-solar planetary systems, using theoretical models and data from the Kepler and Cheops space telescopes. He founded a research group in 2009 via the Lendület program and contributed to the Cheops mission’s scientific framework. Over 200 peer-reviewed publications have garnered >5000 citations, yielding an H-index of 46 (2023). Awards & Honors: Detre László Prize (2011) First Lendület Fellowship (2009) Honorary Fellowships from University of Sydney (2009, 2012–15) Bolyai János Fellowship (2000) Advising & Impact: Supervised 40 students, including 8 PhD and 1 DSc graduates. His research bridges stellar evolution, exoplanet detection, and small-body dynamics, leveraging cutting-edge observational techniques.
Miles Timpe is a computational astrophysicist and space sustainability researcher based at the University of Zurich (UZH), where he works in the Department of Astrophysics and contributes to the Institute for Computational Science (ICS). His research bridges extrasolar and solar system domains, focusing on exoplanet/exomoon formation, sustainable spaceflight, and physics-guided machine learning algorithms. PhD in Astrophysics (University of Zurich, 2020) Developed numerical tools for N-body simulations and SPH methods Active in Academic Spaceflight Initiative of Switzerland (ARIS) Timpe's work emphasizes computational astrophysics, orbital dynamics, and machine learning integration. He has pioneered physics-aware algorithms to predict giant impact outcomes while advancing simulation techniques for planet formation. His expertise also includes anomaly detection in financial datasets and space traffic management automation. Publications highlight his contributions to exoplanet secular evolution (2013), machine learning applications in collision modeling (2020), and blockchain-based research verification systems (2019). He received the Discipline Astrobiology Fellowship (2025-2026) and has presented at AI/ML in Science conferences. Timpe contributes to open science initiatives and safety-critical flight software development for ARIS Space's PICCARD rocket. His broader interests encompass environmental stewardship in space, satellite formation, and preventing Kessler syndrome through innovative collision avoidance strategies.
Eric Agol is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Washington since 2003, specializing in astrophysics with a focus on extrasolar planets, gravitational lensing, and black hole accretion. His research combines analytical computations, numerical simulations, and observational data to study planetary systems, binary stars, and relativistic phenomena. Education: Ph.D. in Physics from UC Santa Barbara (1997); B.A. in Physics & Mathematics from UC Berkeley (1992). His career includes postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins University and Caltech, focusing on black hole accretion and quasar modeling. He pioneered the use of transit timing variations (TTVs) to detect exoplanets and contributed to the Event Horizon Telescope project that imaged M87*'s black hole shadow. Key research areas include: Discovery and characterization of exoplanets (TRAPPIST-1 system, Kepler spacecraft data) Development of computational tools like TTVFast and QATS algorithm Gravitational lensing studies (self-lensing binaries, quasar microlensing) Black hole accretion disk modeling and Event Horizon Telescope collaboration Planetary atmosphere mapping using Spitzer and Hubble data Notable contributions include proposing radio imaging of black hole shadows and leading the team that mapped exoplanet weather patterns. He has advised over 15 graduate students and postdocs, many now leading positions in academia and industry. Labs/Teams: Active member of the UW Astronomy Department, involved in NASA missions and international collaborations like the Event Horizon Telescope.
Manfred Cuntz is a Professor of Physics at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where he has held academic roles since 2001. He specializes in astrophysics, focusing on stellar physics, exoplanet habitability, and astrobiology. His work bridges observational and theoretical research, with contributions to understanding solar and stellar activity, exoplanet dynamics, and multiple stellar systems. Education: PhD in Astronomy, University of Heidelberg (1988) MS in Physics, University of Heidelberg (1985) BS in Physics, University of Heidelberg (1980) Research Interests: His research explores chromospheric and coronal dynamics in stars, mass-loss mechanisms, astrobiology, and the habitability of exoplanets in binary/multiple systems. Notable studies include analyzing the habitable zones of stars like Gliese 581 and investigating orbital stability in systems such as 55 Cancri. Grants & Awards: Recipient of multiple NASA-funded grants (e.g., SOFIA planetarium projects, Cepheid atmospheric studies) Academy of Distinguished Teachers, UTA (2020) Teaching & Mentorship: He teaches courses in astronomy and astrobiology, coordinates the UTA Astronomy Program, and advises numerous graduate students. Over 20 students have been mentored in areas like exoplanet dynamics and astrobiology. Labs/Teams: Leads research in exoplanet habitability and stellar systems, collaborating internationally (e.g., BINA workshops in India). Active in interdisciplinary education programs like the UTA Planetarium.
Apurva Oza is a Staff Scientist at the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), with affiliations to the Europa Clipper Mission and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She received her B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012), M.S. from the University of Virginia (2014), and Ph.D. from Sorbonne Université/Observatoire de Paris (2017), followed by a postdoctoral position at Universität Bern (2017-2020). Her research focuses on planetary evolution, atmospheric escape processes, and the physical interactions between stars, planets, and moons. Key areas include: Exoplanet and exomoon systems, particularly volcanic exo-Ios and ocean worlds Atmospheric dynamics of Jupiter's moons (Europa, Io, Ganymede) Alkali exospheres and thermal outgassing mechanisms Radio astronomy of exoplanet-exomoon systems Dr. Oza's recent research has revealed important insights about atmospheric asymmetries on tidally-locked satellites, the evolution of exoplanet atmospheres, and potential detection methods for exomoons. Her work combines spacecraft data (JUNO/JIRAM), space observatories (Hubble Space Telescope), and ground-based spectrographs to study planetary evolution across timescales from days to billions of years. Her scientific contributions include: h-index of 20 according to Google Scholar Multiple publications in high-impact journals including Nature, Astrophysical Journal, and Icarus Key contributions to understanding Europa's atmospheric asymmetries and Ganymede's tenuous atmosphere Leading research on the detection of exomoons through alkali spectroscopy Dr. Oza has advised numerous students and early-career researchers on projects related to exoplanet atmospheres, volcanic worlds, and atmospheric escape mechanisms. Her current work focuses on the Europa Clipper Mission and the development of new methods for detecting exomoons orbiting close-in gas giant exoplanets.
