Johanna Nagy
Warren E. Rupp Assistant Professor of Physics at Case Western Reserve University
Hometown
Lompoc, California
Education
B.S. in Physics, Stanford University; Ph.D. in Physics, Case Western Reserve University
What is the focus of your research?
My research group focuses on cosmology, studying the evolution and composition of the universe through increasingly precise measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background. We build instruments to measure its polarization and analyze the resulting data. Several of our current projects use NASA’s stratospheric balloons to access signals that are difficult to see from the ground.
What does this fellowship mean to you?
This fellowship will allow me to continue to grow my research group and expand our lab’s capabilities. I am most excited about being able to work with more undergraduate and graduate students and to help them pursue their own career paths.
What inspired you to pursue your career in astrophysics?
I became deeply interested in space when I was in middle school, but in college I learned how much I enjoy experimental work. It still amazes me that instruments we build by hand in the lab can help us answer fundamental questions about the universe. I have also been fortunate to have many fantastic mentors throughout my career and hope to pay it forward.