Biography:
Joanna Dunkley OBE is a British astrophysicist and Professor of Physics at Princeton University. She is renowned for her work on the origin of the Universe and the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).
Dunkley’s journey in the field of astrophysics began with her education at North London Collegiate School, followed by her studies at the University of Cambridge. In 2001, she graduated with a Master of Science degree in Natural Sciences, specializing in Theoretical Physics. During her time at Cambridge, Dunkley was an undergraduate student of Trinity Hall.
Continuing her academic pursuits, Dunkley moved to Oxford for postgraduate study. Under the supervision of Pedro G. Ferreira, she conducted groundbreaking research that culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Oxford in 2005. Dunkley’s studies focused on the cosmology of the universe.
Her research in cosmology primarily revolves around utilizing various telescopes and observatories to study the chronology and characteristics of the universe. Notably, Dunkley has made significant contributions to the field using the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, the Simons Observatory, and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).
Following the completion of her doctorate, Dunkley joined Princeton University as a postdoctoral research fellow in 2006. Working closely with renowned astrophysicists David Spergel and Lyman Page, Dunkley played a pivotal role in the analysis of NASA’s Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). Their collaborative efforts led to the development of the standard model of cosmology.
Dunkley further expanded her research by joining the European Space Agency (ESA) Planck satellite project. This mission provided a higher-resolution view of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), deepening our understanding of the origins of the universe.
In 2007, Dunkley returned to Oxford and was promoted to the position of Professor of Astrophysics in 2014. She led the analysis for the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, employing gravitational lensing techniques to study dark matter. Dunkley’s work also involved researching the possible number of neutrino species in the world.
The release of the CMB images in 2013 offered a glimpse into the universe at just 400,000 years old. Dunkley’s research combines theoretical physics with statistical analysis, using her models to decipher the universe’s mysteries based on cosmological observations. She has been instrumental in estimating the universe’s weight, determining the proportions of dark energy and dark matter, and using gravitational lensing as evidence for dark energy.
In recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to astrophysics and cosmology, Dunkley was awarded the Breakthrough Prize for Physics in 2017, alongside 22 other members of the NASA WMAP Science Team.
Beyond her academic achievements, Dunkley is dedicated to public engagement. She has given numerous public lectures and seminars and has made appearances on BBC Stargazing Live and Dara Ó Briain’s Science Club. Her passion for sharing the wonders of astrophysics with the public underscores her commitment to inspire and educate future generations.
Awards:
– Breakthrough Prize for Physics (2017) with the NASA WMAP Science Team.