Astrophysics & Gravitation

Undergraduate Advisor - Physics and Astronomy

Dr. Afshordi asks some of the biggest questions in science: how the universe began, what it is made of, and how the laws of physics work at the most fundamental level. His research explores black holes, the Big Bang, and the universe’s expansion using theoretical models that connect gravity, quantum physics, and cosmology. A key goal of his work is to turn ideas about spacetime and gravity into predictions that can be tested with observations.

Dr. Balogh is an astronomer studying how planets form and evolve. His research uses semi-analytic models of planet formation within protoplanetary disks to explore how different formation pathways shape planetary atmospheres. This work supports upcoming missions such as Ariel, which will measure the atmospheres of hundreds of exoplanets. His past research examined the formation and evolution of galaxies and their connection to the large-scale structure of the universe.

Dr. Broderick studies the fundamental physics of black holes and their observable signatures, from the event horizon to the broader cosmos. His research combines theory, large-scale simulations, and astronomical observations to explore strong gravity, accretion, relativistic jets, and high-energy astrophysical processes. As a member of the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration, he helps create and interpret horizon-resolving images of supermassive black holes while investigating how black holes, plasma physics, and magnetic fields shape the universe.

Dr. Dang studies planets beyond our Solar System, using space-based and ground-based observatories to investigate their atmospheres, climates, and evolution. Her research combines spectroscopy, time-resolved thermal emission, orbital phase curves, and gravitational microlensing to understand how planets form and change over time. By comparing diverse exoplanet systems, she helps place our Solar System in the broader context of planetary systems throughout the galaxy.

Dr. Hudson studies dark matter and its role in the formation and evolution of galaxies. His research uses weak gravitational lensing, cosmic flows, and large astronomical surveys to investigate the distribution and properties of dark matter. He leads international efforts using data from the UNIONS survey and contributes to major collaborations including Euclid and LSST. His work aims to address fundamental questions about dark matter and resolve outstanding challenges in modern cosmology and galaxy formation.

Dr. McNamara studies the role of supermassive black holes in the formation and evolution of galaxies and galaxy clusters. His research investigates active galactic nuclei, radio galaxies, star formation, and the interaction between black holes and their surrounding environments. Using observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, he explores how energy released by black-hole accretion regulates galaxy growth and influences the evolution of the largest structures in the universe.

Distinguished Research Chair in Astrophysics, Director, Waterloo Centre for Astrophysics

Dr. Percival studies the large-scale structure and evolution of the universe, with a focus on dark matter, dark energy, and cosmology. His research uses galaxy surveys and observational techniques such as baryon acoustic oscillations and redshift-space distortions to measure cosmic expansion and the growth of structure. By developing methods to extract precise information from large astronomical datasets, his work helps reveal the nature of dark matter, dark energy, and the fundamental physics governing the universe.

Dr. Taylor uses numerical simulations, astrophysical theory, and observational data to study the nature and distribution of dark matter. His research investigates how dark matter shapes galaxies, galaxy clusters, and large-scale cosmic structures through gravitational lensing, galaxy dynamics, and theoretical modeling. By combining computational and observational approaches, he explores the properties of dark matter across a wide range of scales and helps connect the universe’s invisible matter to the structures observed by astronomers.