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Impact

Northwestern’s Astronomy Research Center

Over the past decade, astronomy research and education at Northwestern University has undergone an incredible transformation. The Center for Interdisciplinary Education & Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) leads in astrophysics theory, observation, and data science, but we’re so much more! We train and empower the next generation of scientists, we’re growing our programs in K-12 STEM education, and we cultivate the public’s enthusiasm for astronomy with our outreach initiatives.
research

Research

CIERA helps answer the most exciting mysteries in astrophysics by leading research in theoretical, computational, and observational astronomy, and in developing cutting-edge instruments.

Research Stories
data science

Data Science

Interdisciplinary collaboration in high performance computing, machine learning, and big data connects CIERA’s work in astronomy to other fields: engineering, statistics, planetary science and more.

Data Science Stories
STEM Education & Outreach

STEM Education & Outreach

CIERA’s programs support teachers & classrooms, providing students from middle school to college with skills in data analysis & research, and our popular public events enrich communities.

Education & Outreach Stories
Next Generation

Developing the Next Generation

Our researchers focus on preparing the next generation of scientists to be leaders in their field, empowering women & minorities, and achieving at all levels.

Leadership Stories

 

Vicky Kalogera

Director of CIERA
Director of SkAI
Daniel I. Linzer Distinguished University Professor

Co-founder and current director of our center, Vicky Kalogera is the lead astrophysicist in the collaboration that first detected gravitational waves in 2015. An expert in the astrophysics of black holes and neutron stars, Kalogera was elected a member of the US National Academy of Sciences in 2018. She leads a group of over 20 researchers and students.

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Tarraneh Eftekhari

Assistant Director of CIERA
Research Assistant Professor

Dr Eftekhari is Assistant Director of CIERA, a Radio Astronomer at Northwestern University, and a member of the Fast and Fortunate for FRB Follow-up (F4) collaboration. Her research focuses on a broad range of astrophysical transients, ranging from fast radio bursts to superluminous supernovae and tidal disruption events.

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Kari Frank

Director of Operations of CIERA
Research Assistant Professor

In her research role, Kari Frank uses X-ray telescopes to study hot, messy objects like supernova remnants and galaxy clusters. In her administrative role, she manages the daily operations of CIERA, working with graduate students, postdocs, and faculty researchers.

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CIERA by the Numbers

$54.4M External Grants
24 Core Faculty
15 Interdisciplinary Affiliate and Associate Faculty
200 Years Postdoctoral Research Supported
63,600+ Attendees at CIERA Public Events
7000+ K-12 Students Reached

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