NOTE: PLEASE ADD @astro.washington.edu TO THE END OF
ALL EMAIL ADDRESSES
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Agol, Eric |
Interests:
Eric Agol studies extrasolar planets, black holes, and gravitational lenses. He uses analytic computations, numerical simulations, and observations to discover and characterize these objects. With collaborators, he was the first to propose that radio observations could be used to image the shadow of the event horizon of a black hole; he was the first to create an infrared longitudinal map of an extrasolar planet; he has written computer code used to characterize over 50 transiting extrasolar planets; and he has proposed a novel technique for finding planets as small in mass as the Earth, and used it to demonstrate that Earth-mass planets could be detected in resonance with transiting planets, were they present.
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Assistant Professor
PhD in Physics, UC Santa Barbara 1997
Joined Dept in Fall 2003
Office: B370
Phone: 206-543-7106
Email: agol
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Anderson, Scott |
Interests: Anderson's current research
interests focus on observational studies of high energy phenomena, including quasars and X-ray sources. Along with affiliated students and postdocs, Anderson makes use
of data from a variety of ground- (e.g., 3.5m) and space-based instruments (e.g., Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory). He is also actively involved
in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Anderson teaches courses related to high energy astrophysics and radiative processes. |
Professor
PhD University of Washington 1988
Joined Dept in
Office: C306
Phone: 206-685-2392
Email: anderson
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Balick, Bruce |
Interests:
Prof. Balick's interests range from how planetary nebulae eject their envelopes to the rate at which they inject helium, carbon, and nitrogen into the ancient ISM in the halos of M31 and the Milky Way. Prof. Balick and his collaborators focus on the nebular hydrodynamics and the construction of numerical models in which detailed physical processes are included. Balick is an active user of large optical telescopes such a s Gemini and the Hubble Space Telescope. He serves on the design team for the next generation camera, WFC3, that was installed in HST in 2009. He is a member of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee which monitors the progress and funding of interagency projects and advises Congress annually. Balick is the chair of the Faculty Senate at UW for 2009-10.
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Professor
PhD Cornell University 1971
Joined Dept in 1975
Office: C308
Phone: 206-543-7683
Email: balick
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Baum, Bill |
Interests: HST-WFPC2 observations of globular
cluster systems in elliptical galaxies to investigate their properties and their implications concerning the cosmic distance scale (1995 AJ 110, 2537; and 1997 AJ 113,
1483). Also the mean density of matter in the "local" universe and the associated value of Lambda (1998 AJ 116, 31). |
Emeritus Research Professor
PhD Physics Caltech, 1950
Joined Dept in 1990
Office: C324
Phone: 206-543-4858
Email: baum
Papers and Publications
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Becker, Andrew |
Interests: My research interests in the past have focused on detecting and following-up unusual microlensing events in real-time (with MACHO, GMAN, and MPS). However, my pursuits have since broadened to the generalized problem of detecting and classifying astronomical variability regardless of type (with DLS, SDSS, and LSST). In particular, if one wants to recognize rare classes of transient events, the background of more prosaic astronomical variability must first be recognized and removed. Modern surveys that simultaneously survey faint, fast, and wide are now at a threshold where we expect these new sorts of discoveries. Accomplishing this will require advances in the integration of computing and information management necessary to extract and model astronomical variability information in real-time. Recent science pursuits include: mining survey data for distant Trans-Neptunian Objects, phasing large time-series of 2MASS data for periodic variability, pursuing a novel method to estimate Supernova Type Ia distances and constrain cosmology, undertaking a Principal Component Analysis of M-dwarf spectra, and writing reams of software for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. |
Assistant Professor
University of Washington, 2000
Joined Dept in 2002
Office: C327
Phone: 206-685-0542
Email: becker
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Böhm, Karl-Heinz |
Interests: He taught earlier (until 1999)
mostly stellar and solar physics. Research interests: Outflows ("Herbig-Haro jets", "disk winds" from recently formed stars, specifically T Tauri
stars). The research concentrates mostly on the interpretation of (highly) spatially resolved spectra of outflows (optical, UV, and some near IR) and the interpretation
of their background physics. - He is also interested in the hydrodynamic (and magneto-hydrodynamic) generation of outflows (jets) from young stars. Earlier interests
include radiative equilibrium in stellar atmospheres and atmospheric and internal structures of white dwarfs. |
Professor Emeritus
PhD University of Kiel, Germany, 1954
Joined Dept in 1968
Office: C322
Phone: 206-543-0077
Email: bohm
Papers and Publications
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Böhm-Vitense, Erika |
Interests: General research interest: Stellar atmospheres, Stellar evolution.
Recent special research interests: Barium stars, Cepheids Present research: Stellar chromospheres, transition layers, and coronae. |
Professor Emeritus
PhD 1951 from Kiel, Germany
Joined Dept in 1970
Office: C324
Phone: 206-543-4858
Email: erica
Papers and Publications
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Brownlee, Don |
Interests: Don's primary research interests
focus on the origin and evolution of planetary materials, planets and planetary systems. He is extensively involved with the laboratory study of primitive materials from
asteroids and comets and he is PI of the NASA's Stardust comet sample return mission. He is also a member of the UW Astrobiology program and he has recently co-authored
two books with UW paleontologist Peter Ward on the Earth's evolution to become a habitat for advanced life and the remarkable aspects of the processes involved as viewed
from the perspectives of space and time. |
Professor
PhD University of Washington, 1971
Joined Dept in 1975
Office: C331
Phone: 206-543-8575
Email: brownlee
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Claire, Mark |
Interests: Coming soon |
Post-Doc
Office: B356F
Phone: 206-616-2788
Email: mclaire
Papers and Publications
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Connolly, Andy |
Interests:
My work focuses on using large surveys to study cosmology and the evolution of galaxies.
This ranges from studying the clustering of galaxies and their evolution with redshift, weak gravitational lensing of galaxies, and estimating the properties of galaxies based on their colors (aka photometric redshifts).
The common theme to this work is addressing the need for massive data sets and how to work with them.
One area that interests me a lot at the moment is the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) where I lead the development of simulations of what LSST might observe.
Beyond cosmology, I am also interested in how to make the technologies that companies use to search the internet useful in research and education.
As part of this, a couple of years ago I was on sabbatical at Google where I created "Google Sky"; an extension to Google Earth that streams many Terabytes of astronomical images and provides an easy way to zoom and pan throughout the universe. |
Associate Professor
Joined Dept in 2007
Office: B355
Phone: 206-543-9541
Email: ajc
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Cowan, Nick |
Interests: My main research interest is how to characterize exoplanets once they are discovered.
My thesis work described how to create thermal maps and albedo maps of exoplanets based on how their brightness changes over an orbit or rotation.
I have made maps of exoplanets using data from Spitzer and maps of Earth with data from the EPOXI mission.
I also dabble in survey astronomy (namely determining the environment of galaxies) using SDSS and the Millenium Simulation. |
Post-Doc
Office: B356F
Phone: 206-616-2788
Email: cowan
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Dalcanton, Julianne |
Interests:
Julianne Dalcanton works on galaxy formation and evolution, focusing primarily on what can be learned in the nearby universe. Her group is currently working on several large projects studying the resolved stellar populations of nearby galaxies using HST, their neutral gas distribution with the VLA, and their stellar mass, dust, and star formation properties with Spitzer. She also works closely with the N-body shop on the interface between observation and numerical theory.
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Associate Professor
PhD in Astrophysics, Princeton, 1995
Joined Dept in 1998
Office: B382
Phone: 206-685-2155
Email: jd
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Dobbs-Dixon, Ian |
Interests: Coming soon |
Post-Doc
Office: C304
Phone: 206-685-2150
Email: iandd
Papers and Publications
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Gogarten, Stephanie |
Interests:
Stephanie studies the star formation history of galaxies using resolved stellar populations. She works with data from the ACS Nearby Galaxy Survey Treasury (ANGST), a survey of stellar populations in the local universe. She is especially interested in software development and using databases for astronomical researh.
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Post-Doc
Office: B356F
Phone: 206-616-2788
Email: stephanie
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Governato, Fabio |
Interests: Fabio works on cosmic structure formation using N-Body simulations as his primary tool. His current interests focus on understanding how galaxies formed and evolved and on how to compare observations from HST and the other Great Observatories with theoretical predictions based on the "Cold Dark Matter" model. He gets his best ideas while eating vegan donuts. |
Research Professor
PhD University of Rome II, Tor Vergata in 1996
Joined Dept in 2002
Office: B378
Phone: 206-543-2604
Email: fabio
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Hawley, Suzanne |
Interests: Suzanne Hawley works in stellar
astrophysics, particularly in the areas of magnetic activty, low mass stars, brown dwarfs and variable stars. She is co-author of a recent graduate textbook with Neill
Reid entitled "New Light on Dark Stars" (Springer-Praxis). She also studies star clusters, the stellar content of dwarf galaxies, and galactic structure. A
former member of the NOAO users committee, Gemini science committee, the Space Telescope users committee, she is now Director of the Apache Point 3.5-m telescope. Hawley
serves on the NOAO telescope allocation committee. |
Professor and Chair
PhD University of Texas, 1989
Joined Dept in 1999
Office: C305
Phone: 206-685-2236
Email: slh
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Hodge, Paul |
Interests: Teaching: currently advising
graduate student thesis research Research interests: Local Group galaxies, modes of star formation, star clusters and their formation, HII regions in galaxies, meteorite
craters. |
Emeritus Professor
PhD Harvard, 1960
Joined Dept in 1965
Office: B355
Phone: 543-6307
Email: hodge
Papers and Publications
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Huang, Wenjin |
Interests: Major line features in stellar spectra, for ex., the HI Balmer and Paschen series, are very helpful for us to understand stellar surface environment astrophysically.
However, current line synthesis theories (LTE/NLTE) are still far from successfully simulating the formation of these HI lines in atmosphere of supergiants.
Working closely with Dr. Wallerstein G., we start a project to investigate on what is the major barrier that causes the failure of HI line synthesis for supergiants.
Comparing with late GKM type stars, massive OBA stars rotate much faster during their main sequence stage.
Theoretical studies suggest that high rotation velocity make the surface condition and the internal structure of these massive stars very different from that of slowly rotating stars.
My primary research interest is in studying stellar rotation of massive stars at the observational side.
Obtaining reliable statistical data of stellar rotation is the only way to verify/put constraints on the stellar rotation theories, and to help us to understand the key role of angular momentum playing during the entire life of massive stars.
This kind of studies may also shed light on other long-standing puzzles in this area, such as the origin of Be stars and chemical peculiar stars, etc. |
Post-Doc
Office: B349
Phone: 206-221-7949
Email: hwenjin
Papers and Publications
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Ivezic, Zeljko |
Interests: Zeljko Ivezic (pronounced something like Gelco Evazich) is interested in detection, analysis and interpretation of electromagnetic radiation from astronomical sources. He has spent the last six years working (and having lots of fun) on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and is currently using SDSS (and other) data to study asteroids, Milky Way structure, and multi-wavelength properties of stars, galaxies and quasars. He is also interested in radiative transfer and is engaged in studies of dusty environments around young and old stars, and active galactic nuclei. These days, most of Zeljko's time is spent on his duties as the System Scientist for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope |
Assistant Professor
PhD University of Kentucky, 1995
Joined Dept in Fall 2004
Office: C313
Phone: 206-543-9375
Email: ivezic
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Jones, Lynne |
Interests: Coming Soon. |
Post-Doc
Joined Dept in Fall 2006
Office: C325
Phone: 206-543-9487
Email: ljones
Papers and Publications
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King, Ivan R. |
Interests: Research centers on the structure
and population content of globular clusters. Current work is based on observations made with the Hubble Space Telescope. Much of present efforts are in high-precision
astrometry with HST, which allows the study of internal motions of stars in the clusters. This will lead to a better understanding of the dynamics of the clusters, and
eventually to a marked improvement in the scales of their distances and ages. At the same time, proper-motion separation of cluster stars from field stars allows study
of cluster stars down to the hydrogen-burning limit. Other efforts go into dynamical modeling of globular clusters. Peripheral interests in the structure of the Milky
Way and of other galaxies. |
Research Professor
PhD Harvard, 1952
Joined Dept in 2002
Office: B372
Phone: 206-685-9010
Email: king
Papers and Publications
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Krughoff, Simon |
Interests: Using the SDSS spectroscopic sample we are looking for transient signals using the PCA decomposition of the galaxy spectra.
Specifically we are finding type Ia supernovae superimposed on the host galaxy spectrum.
Using this sample of SNe we have been able to calculate the nearby type Ia supernova rate.
Research facilitation
One of my main interests is facilitating research in the era of big data in astronomy.
As datasets (both catalog and imagery) grow to sizes too large to harbor effectively on a single desktop machine, the astronomical community must rethink how things get done.
In an effort to probe new ways to do things, I've been involved in several projects to put exploratory science on the web (where it belongs).
Web Enabled Source Identification with X-Matching is a proof of concept project to demonstrate how several NVO produced protocols and tools can be linked together to provide increased functionality.
In the case of WESIX, the source identification tool SExtractor and the cross matching tool OpenSkyQuery are glued together using some Java and JSP to provide a tool for identifying sources and getting their counterparts from another catalog in one (relatively) simple step.
Another aspect of research facilitation is the simplification and distribution of data access portals.
The Pitt/CMU Value Added Catalog (VAC) is an attempt to make the SDSS spectroscopic data products more accessible. It is also an intended to simplify aggregation of value added products by providing an upload page where new calculated quantities can be matched to the catalog. |
Post-Doc
Joined Dept in Fall 2007
Office: C325
Phone: 206-543-9487
Email: krughoff
Papers and Publications
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Larson, Ana |
Interests: Teaching interests: My interests lie
in teaching introductory astronomy courses incorporating active student participation in lectures, labs, and on-line exercises, and curriculum development for these
courses, including an on-line text book and exercises. I am also involved in the outreach program here, primarily with the old campus observatory and with teaching
summer camps with young scholars. |
Lecturer
PhD University of Victoria, BC 1996
Joined Dept in 1996
Office: C335
Phone: 206-685-7856
Email: larson
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Laws, Chris |
Interests: Coming Soon. |
Lecturer
PhD University of Washington 2004
Office: B349
Phone: 206-221-7949
Email: laws
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Linnell, Al |
Interests: Prof. Linnell currently investigates Cataclysmic Variable systems. The analysis involves application of his BINSYN program for producing synthetic light curves and synthetic spectra of system components from a single self-consistent physical model. The program involves extensive use of the programs TLUSTY and SYNSPEC developed by collaborator Ivan Hubeny. Simulation results have documented departures of accretion disks from the standard model and have produced fits to light curves of magnetic CV systems. |
Affiliate Professor
PhD in Astronomy, Harvard University 1950
Joined Dept in 1993
Office: home
Phone: 206-922-2685
Email: linnell
Papers and Publications
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Lutz, Julie |
Interests:
Professor Lutz is interested in understanding the physical characteristics of planetary nebulae and their central stars and how these objects fit into the patterns of stellar evolution. She also analyzes the spectra of symbiotic stars (binaries containing an evolved hot star and a cool star) to determine their chemical compositions, velocities and variability. She has broad interests in astronomy education, including working with K-12 educators, museums, science centers and after-school program
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Research Professor
PhD, University of Illinois, 1972
Joined Dept in 2000
Office: C335
Phone: 206-685-7856
Email: jlutz
Papers and Publications
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Matrajt, Graciela |
Interests: Graciela's primary research interests focus on the origin and evolution of life throughout the universe. She is extensively involved with the laboratory study of primitive materials from asteroids (meteorites and interplanetary particles) and the recent samples from a comet that were brought back by the NASA's Stardust comet sample return mission.
She works with the PI of the Stardust mission. She is also a member of the UW Astrobiology program. |
Post-Doc
PhD in Astrobiology University of Paris VI, Pierre and Marie Curie, France, 2001
Joined Dept in 2004
Office: C315
Phone: 206-543-9430
Email: matrajt
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Meadows, Victoria (Vikki) |
Interests: Victoria Meadows is an astrobiologist and planetary astronomer whose research interests focus on acquisition and analysis of remote-sensing observations of planetary atmospheres and surfaces. In addition to studying planets within our own Solar System, she is interested in exoplanets, planetary habitability and biosignatures. Since 2000, she has been the Principal Investigator for the Virtual Planetary Laboratory Lead Team of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Her NAI team uses models of planets, including planet-star interactions, to generate plausible planetary environments and spectra for extrasolar terrestrial planets and the early Earth. This research is being used to help define signs of habitability and life for future extrasolar terrestrial planet detection and characterization missions. |
Associate Professor
PhD, University of Sydney, 1994
Joined Dept in 2007
Office: B374
Phone: 206-543-0206
Email: vsm
Papers and Publications
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Mukadam, Anjum |
Interests:
White dwarf stars are the stellar remains of 98-99% of stars in the sky. Anjum chose to work on pulsating white dwarfs in particular because pulsations allow us to probe deep in the interior of the star, not otherwise accessible for a systematic study. A unique model fit to the observed periods of the variable white dwarf can reveal information about the stellar mass, core composition, age, rotation rate, magnetic field strength, and distance. In collaboration with Dr. Paula Szkody, Anjum also works on accreting white dwarfs that show pulsations. These systems are of great interest to both the pulsating white dwarf community and the cataclysmic variable community. |
Post-Doc
Office: C330C
Phone: 206-543-5280
Email: anjum
Papers and Publications
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Pizagno, James |
Interests: Jim Pizagno works on galaxy formation theories, with a focus
on obtaining observations that constrain semi-analytic
models of galaxy formation. For his Ph.D. thesis, he
obtained dynamical data for a sample of galaxies selected
from the SDSS, with the goal of studying the the Tully-Fisher
relation and its residuals. He is currently working on
the LSST project, with a focus on putting galaxies into the
simulation. |
Post-Doc
Office: C320
Phone: 206-685-2112
Email: jpizagno
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Quinn, Tom |
Interests: Tom leads the N-body shop, where he
works on running and analyzing N-body simulations of structure formation in the Universe. His other research interests include Galactic and Solar System dynamics, and
planet formation. He is a member of the UW Astrobiology program. He is also involved in developing scientific software for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and chairs the
SDSS Solar System working group. |
Professor
PhD Princeton University 1986
Joined Dept in 1993
Office: B380
Phone: 206-685-9009
Email: trq
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Silvestri, Nicole M. |
Interests: While at Florida Tech I worked
primarily on white dwarf stars, specifically those in wide binary systems with M dwarf companions. My dissertation research focused on the determination of a
chromospheric activity-age relation from the activity of the M dwarf and the age of the white dwarf in these systems (publication by summer, 2003!). Now that I am here
at UW, my research interests have shifted slightly to the investigation of close white dwarf-M dwarf binary systems. We plan to observe enough of these systems to see
what they can tell us about the activity of M dwarf stars in close binary systems and what influence this magnetic activity might have on cataclysmic variable systems. I
am also interested in studying the variability, ages, and other observable properties of white dwarf and low mass stars and I am currently working on several white dwarf
and M dwarf projects through collaborative efforts with the SDSS and Florida Tech. |
Post-doc
PhD in Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 2002
Joined Dept in 2003
Office: C315
Phone: 206-543-9430
Email: nms
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Smith, Toby |
Interests: My primary research and teaching
interests are focused on the processes that shape the surfaces of the worlds of our solar system. In particular, his research has focused on investigating and sampling
terrestrial meteorite craters to study the physical process that create and distribute meteoritic material around them. My primary teaching interests are the geological
processes and history of the solar system and the history of the Apollo Lunar missions. |
Lecturer
PhD University of Washington 1995
Joined Dept in 1998
Office: C338
Phone: 206-616-2959
Email: smith
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Sullivan, Woodruff |
Interests: Professor Sullivan's interests are in astrobiology, in particular the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), as well as the history of astronomy. Recent SETI activity has included a collaboration with the Serendip group, using the Arecibo 1000-foot dish for an all-sky search for a wide variety of signal modulation at 21 cm (seti@home project). History of astronomy research has been on the twentieth century, in particular the development of early radio astronomy and ideas about extraterrestrial life, as well as a long-term project designed to produce a biography of William Herschel. |
Professor, joint with History of Science
PhD University of Maryland, 1971
Joined Dept in 1973
Office: C318
Phone: 206-543-7773
Email: woody
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Szkody, Paula |
Interests: Professor Szkody uses a multiwavelength approach to study close binary stars with active mass transfer (Cataclysmic Variables). Her current research involves ultraviolet observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and the GALEX and FUSE satellites, X-ray observations with Chandra and SMM, infrared observations with Spitzer as well as APO and ground-based optical facilities around the world. With colleagues participating in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, she is currently finding the faintest, lowest mass transfer CVs. These observations have led to insights into the nature of mass transfer and accretion onto magnetic and non-magnetic white dwarfs, the structure of accretion onto magnetic and non-magnetic white dwarfs, the structure of accretion disks and their X-ray-emitting boundary layers, stellar coronae, and the effects of irradiation on the upper atmospheres of late-type secondary stars. The results are elucidating the long-term evolution leading to the formation of these ultrashort period binaries. |
Professor
PhD University of Washington, 1975
Joined Dept in 1975
Office: C311
Phone: 206-543-1988
Email: szkody
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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Wallerstein, George |
Interests: Professor Wallerstein's research is
oriented around the chemical composition of stellar atmospheres. These are important clues to the composition to the origin of the star and its evolution. Stars reflect
the environments of their formation by the composition of the gasses in their atmospheres. For example, stars formed 10-15 billion years ago in globular clusters show
that these clusters ceased to produce the heavy elements seen in the Sun after only 1 percent of the solar level of heavies were produced. Other stellar atmospheres show
a composition which was changed by nuclear reactions in their interiors. Prof. Wallerstein works closely with his students in observations at the telescope and the
analysis of these data using computer models of stellar atmospheres. They interpret their data in terms of theories of stellar structure and core nuclear burning. Prof.
Wallerstein also studies the structure of the interstellar medium through emission and absorption lines. |
Professor Emeritus
PhD Caltech, 1958
Joined Dept in 1965
Office: B347
Phone: 206-543-8098
Email: wall
Papers and Publications
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Williams, Ben |
Interests: Ben Williams works on galaxy evolution, focusing on explaining the observed properties of nearby galaxies.
Using Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the stellar populations and X-ray source populations of nearby galaxies can be studied in great detail.
These population contain the information necessary to reconstruct the evolutionary history of galaxies.
Comparing our observations to theoretical models and high-redshift observations tests and improves current theories and simulations. |
Post-Doc
Office: C313
Phone: 206-543-9849
Email: ben
Web Page
Papers and Publications
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