Cluster focus

This cluster created faculty positions in the astronomy and physics departments to enhance the emerging research efforts in astroparticle physics and cosmology. Recently the Department of Physics created new groups in experimental cosmology and gamma ray and neutrino astronomy. They complement existing efforts in X-ray astronomy. A core group of several faculty members in the Department of Astronomy runs programs that intellectually complement the new efforts in physics.

Cluster accomplishments

  • One cluster faculty member regularly teaches graduate courses in General Astrophysics and Physics of Interstellar Medium.
  • A cluster member faculty has been a PI or co-PI on numerous National Science Foundation grants on topics including Fundamentals of Interstellar Turbulence; Magnetized Mixing Layers; and a collaborative effort, Fast Dynamos in the Computer and the Galaxy.
  • One of the cluster faculty members has been invited to speak at nearly 25 major international astrophysics conferences around the world during the past five years.
  • Another cluster faculty member hired in January 2006 has begun a special topics graduate seminar on high energy astrophysics, and is looking into establishing a high energy astrophysics lecture series on campus.

Cluster structure

The cluster has developed a group of affiliated collaborating faculty. With the recent completion of the cluster faculty hires, the cluster is beginning to explore more collaborative activities to create connections in astrophysics and cosmology in the astronomy and physics departments.

Cluster coordinator, faculty and lead dean

Cluster Coordinator

Cluster Faculty

Lead Dean