Origin of the Universe
Origin of the Universe
The department’s research on the cosmic web and large-scale structure integrates simulations and observations. Norman Murray leads projects on galaxy formation, feedback, and the circumgalactic medium, while also co-leading observational campaigns like COMap and the CCAT telescope to map CO and [C II] emission across cosmic volumes. Complementing this, Adam Hincks uses CMB and Sunyaev–Zeldovich observations from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and Simons Observatory to detect filamentary structures between galaxy clusters, providing a bridge between theory and observation in mapping baryons and dark matter in the cosmic web.
A key focus is galaxy formation across cosmic time. Pratika Dayal develops semi-numerical models of early galaxy and black-hole formation during reionization, which inform ALMA, JWST, and upcoming 21 cm surveys. Seiji Fujimoto leverages deep ALMA and JWST observations to probe gas, dust, and kinematics in the first galaxies, integrating these data with theoretical frameworks. Roberto Abraham studies low-surface-brightness galaxies and diffuse circumgalactic gas with Dragonfly and the upcoming MOTHRA array, linking faint local structures to the large-scale cosmic web.
The department also advances cosmology and instrument-driven surveys. Juan Mena Parra and Keith Vanderlinde develop radio-cosmology instruments such as CHIME and CHORD to perform 21 cm intensity mapping of large-scale structure, probing the evolution of matter and dark energy over cosmic time. Renée Hložek uses CMB and optical survey data to study cosmic inflation, reionization, and the growth of structure. Dick Bond develops sophisticated models for cosmic evolution and cosmological inference. Together, these efforts combine observations, simulations, and instrumentation to connect the physics of galaxies, baryons, and dark matter from the early Universe to the present-day cosmic web.
Department members conduct research in the areas of: Inflation, general relativity, dark matter and dark energy, cosmic microwave background, re-ionization, cosmic magnetism and the origin and fate of the universe.
Roberto Abraham
Dick Bond (CITA)
Jo Bovy
Pratika Dayal (CITA)
Seiji Fujimoto
Bryan Gaensler (Status Only)
Adam Hincks (DAA & St. Michael’s)
Renee Hlozek (DAA & Dunlap)
Juan Mena Parra (DAA & Dunlap)
Norman Murray (CITA)
Barth Netterfield (DAA & Physics)
Ue-Li Pen (CITA)
Chris Thompson (CITA)
Keith Vanderlinde (DAA & Dunlap)
