The Team
Science Team
The people below are core members of this project, leading the research, data analysis, and technical development behind the scenes. But none of this would be possible without the wider Galaxy Zoo team and, importantly, without you, the volunteer. Your curiosity and contributions are at the heart of everything we do.
Hayley Roberts - Project Lead: Astrophysicist, University of Minnesota
Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota with the Zooniverse team, who studies the evolution of galaxies and galaxy mergers. She's also an expert in radio astronomy, investigating rare phenomena, and implementing machine learning methods in large data sets. Science team telecon organizer.
Patrick Wang - Undergraduate Researcher, Haverford College
Astrophysics major at Pennsylvania's Haverford College, with experience researching spiral galaxies and galaxy mergers. He works at the Strawbridge Observatory as a member of his school's Public Observing team and plans on obtaining a PhD in astrophysics after graduating.
Vivasvaan Aditya Raj - Astrophysicist, University of Minnesota
PhD Student at the University of Minnesota with the Zooniverse team. He's interested in the evolution of galaxies, galaxy mergers and the formation of Cosmic Dawn galaxies. When not busy with the universe, Vivasvaan can be found exploring restaurants in Minneapolis.
Lucy Fortson - Astrophysicist, University of Minnesota
Interested in galaxy evolution, black holes and the jets of material beaming from the centers of active galactic nuclei. Started the Zooniverse effort at the Adler Planetarium, now bringing the light to the University of Minnesota. On the odd weekend, when she's not preparing lecture or writing grants, Lucy can be found hanging out with her husband and son at one of Minneapolis' fine dining establishments.
Tobias Géron - Astronomer, University of Toronto
Postdoctoral research at the University of Toronto. He studies the effect that bars have on their host galaxies.
Kameswara Bharadwaj Mantha - Astrophysicist, University of Minnesota
Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota in Twin Cities with the Zooniverse team, working on developing human-computer optimized, novel deep-learning based anomaly detection frameworks. He is interested in the growth and evolution of galaxies and galaxy collisions (aka. mergers) and their role in the overall growth and development of galaxies over the Universe's history. He also specializes in developing human-computer optimized, novel deep-learning based anomaly detection frameworks and applies them to imaging data from large scale galaxy surveys.
Karen Masters - Galaxy Zoo Principal Investigator: Astronomer, Haverford College
Interested in spiral galaxies of all kinds, red has always been her favourite colour. She's working to disentangle the 'true' red spirals, from those that are reddened because we see them edge on, and along the way learn about interstellar dust, and the nature of spirals themselves. Bars also a specialty.
David O'Ryan - Astrophysicist, European Space Agency
An internal research fellow at ESA. David studies the evolution of galaxy morphology in the densest galactic environments: clusters. He also works on anomaly detection as well as the evolution of galaxies undergoing interactions with each other.
Brooke Simmons - Deputy PI: Astronomer, Lancaster University
Works on understanding why and how galaxies grow, especially in tandem with their central supermassive black holes. Also interested in the changing sky and the changing Earth.
Mike Walmsley - University of Toronto
Applying machine learning to help Galaxy Zoo volunteers measure galaxy morphology at unprecedented scale.
