Roles and Affiliations: Dimitri Mawet is a Professor of Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He leads research in exoplanet direct imaging and high-contrast spectroscopy, focusing on instrumentation development for ground and space telescopes. His work centers on detecting and characterizing exoplanets using advanced techniques such as vortex coronagraphy and photonic lantern nulling. Education: Completed his PhD in Astronomy at the University of Liège (2006). Prior to Caltech, he held positions at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Research Focus: Mawet specializes in developing instruments like the Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC) and the upcoming MODHIS for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). His research explores protoplanetary disk dynamics, brown dwarf atmospheres, and the interplay between planets and their environments. Key projects include analyzing JWST data to study exoplanet atmospheres and probing stellar systems like α Centauri for potential habitable planets. Instrumentation Contributions: He pioneered the use of vortex coronagraphs and photonic lantern technologies to suppress starlight, enabling direct imaging of faint planetary companions. His team also works on the High-Resolution Infrared Spectrograph for Exoplanet Characterization (HISPEC) at Keck Observatory. Awards and Recognition: While no specific awards are listed in the text, his contributions to exoplanet instrumentation and observational techniques are widely recognized in the field. His work on the KPIC instrument has revolutionized high-resolution spectroscopy of faint exoplanetary systems. Labs/Teams: Leads the KPIC and HISPEC teams at Caltech, collaborating with international partners on projects like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Early Release Science Program and future missions with the TMT.







