Faculty/Scientists

Publications

G. Fritz Benedict

Senior Research Scientist

Research Interests

Space astrometry; search for extrasolar planetary systems; surface photometry of galaxies; barred galaxies.

Group Areas

Extrasolar Planetary Systems, Cool Stars, Galactic Structure, Space Astrometry

Anita Cochran

Assistant Director

Research Interests

Primitive bodies in the solar system; chemical composition of comets; the Kuiper belt, CONTOUR Mission Science Team.

Group Areas

Comets & Asteroids

William Cochran

Senior Research Scientist

Research Interests

Searches for extrasolar planetary systems; high-precision measurements of stellar radial velocity variations; variable stars; planetary atmospheres; comets; asteroids.

Group Areas

Extrasolar Planetary Systems, Kepler Team, Atmospheres & Life

Sally Dodson-Robinson

Assistant Professor

Research Interests

Planet formation, planet host composition, protostellar disk chemistry, Galactic chemical evolution, debris disks and brown dwarfs.

Group Areas

Planet Formation, Star Formation & Protoplanetary Disks, Extrasolar Planetary Systems

Michael Endl

Research Scientist

Research Interests

Detection of extrasolar planets and brown dwarf companions. Search for extremely low-mass planets around M dwarf stars. High precision stellar radial velocity measurements. Astrobiology.

Group Areas

Extrasolar Planetary Systems, Kepler Team

Phillip MacQueen

Senior Research Scientist

Research Interests

Instrumentation, CCD detectors, exoplanets, the Galaxy halo.

Barbara McArthur

Research Scientist

Research Interests

HST Astrometry; search for extrasolar planets.

Group Areas

Space Astrometry, Extrasolar Planetary Systems, Cool Stars, Galactic Structure

Judit Gyorgyey Ries

Research Associate

Research Interests

Planetary Astronomy, Astrometry and physical characterization of Near Earth Objects, especially Earth-crossing asteroids. Also works as Lunar Data Analyst for the McDonald Laser Ranging Station.

Group Areas

Comets & Asteroids, McDonald Laser Ranging Station

Brian Roman

Research Engineer/Scientist Associate III

John Scalo

Professor

Research Interests

Star formation; interstellar medium; turbulence; galaxy evolution; complex systems; astrobiology.

Group Areas

Astrobiology, Milky Way Evolution, ISM and Star Formation, Planet Formation, Atmospheres & Life, Star Formation & Protoplanetary Disks

Peter J Shelus

Senior Research Scientist

Research Interests

Small Solar System body motions; time: laser ranging; Earth and lunar dynamics; stellar astrometry.

Group Areas

Comets & Asteroids, McDonald Laser Ranging Station

Laurence M Trafton

Senior Research Scientist

Research Interests

Planetary atmospheres; volatile transport; evolution of the solar system.

Group Areas

Atmospheres & Life

Graduate Students

Publications

Erik Brugamyer

Graduate Student

Group Areas

Planet Formation, Extrasolar Planetary Systems

Kevin Gullikson

Graduate Student

James Hermes

Graduate Student

Group Areas

White Dwarfs

Amy Jones

Graduate Student - Texas A&M

Paul Robertson

Graduate Student

Group Areas

Extrasolar Planetary Systems

Alan Sluder

Graduate Student

Group Areas

Astrobiology, Atmospheres & Life

Undergraduate Students

Publications