Fiona A. Harrison
Harold A. Rosen Professor of Physics
A.B., Dartmouth College, 1985; Ph.D., University of California, 1993; D.techn.h.c., Danish Technical University. Robert Millikan Research Fellow, Caltech, 1993-95; Assistant Professor of Physics, 1995-99; Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, 1999-2001; Associate Professor 2001-2005; Professor, 2005-13; Rosen Professor, 2013-; Division Chair; 2015-25; Kresa Leadership Chair, 2015-25.
Research Interests: Observational and Experimental High-Energy Astrophysics
Overview
My research focuses on high-energy observations of black holes, neutron stars and other energetic phenomena with the NuSTAR telescope and other X-ray and gamma ray facilities. We also develop new detectors, optics and missions for NASA. My research group page can be found here.
I have an exciting new project - the Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) that will follow up gravitational wave events, explore the lowest mass galaxies in the universe, and much, much more. We are developing new detectors for UVEX, and there are opportunities for students to become involved and help build a space mission.
[Image credits: Bob Paz; Orbital Sciences Corporation]
Selected Awards
- Mohler Prize, University of Michigan, 2022
- Hans Bethe Prize, American Physical Society, 2020
- Fellow, American Astronomical Society, 2020
- Harrie Massey Award, Committee on Space Research, 2016
- Bruno Rossi Prize, American Astronomical Society, 2015
- Honorary Fellow, Royal Astronomical Society, 2015
- Member, National Academy of Sciences, 2014
- Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2014
- NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal, 2013
- Fellow, American Physical Society, 2012
- Doctor Technices Hornoris Cuasa, Danish Technical University, 2010
- Named one of America's Best Leaders, U.S. News and Kennedy School of Government, 2008
- Presidential Early Career Award, 2000
Selected Awards
- Mohler Prize, University of Michigan, 2022
- Hans Bethe Prize, American Physical Society, 2020
- Fellow, American Astronomical Society, 2020
- Harrie Massey Award, Committee on Space Research, 2016
- Bruno Rossi Prize, American Astronomical Society, 2015
- Honorary Fellow, Royal Astronomical Society, 2015
- Member, National Academy of Sciences, 2014
- Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2014
- NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal, 2013
- Fellow, American Physical Society, 2012
- Doctor Technices Hornoris Cuasa, Danish Technical University, 2010
- Named one of America's Best Leaders, U.S. News and Kennedy School of Government, 2008
- Presidential Early Career Award, 2000
Leadership and National Service
- Kresa Leadership Chair, Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, 2015-2025
- Chair, High Energy Astrophysics Division of the AAS, 2020-2022
- Co-Chair, Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2019-2021
- Member, James Webb Space Telescope Independent Review Board, 2019
- Chair, Space Studies Board of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017-2019
- Chair, Division of Astrophysics, American Physical Society, 2017
- Member, Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics Steering Committee, 2009-2010
Leadership and National Service
- Kresa Leadership Chair, Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, 2015-2025
- Chair, High Energy Astrophysics Division of the AAS, 2020-2022
- Co-Chair, Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2019-2021
- Member, James Webb Space Telescope Independent Review Board, 2019
- Chair, Space Studies Board of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017-2019
- Chair, Division of Astrophysics, American Physical Society, 2017
- Member, Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics Steering Committee, 2009-2010