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Olivia Cooper

NSF AAPF

CU Boulder

Hello! I’m Olivia (she/her), an NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow at CU Boulder. I am an observer focused on massive galaxies, with the goal of understanding how the early cosmos assembled so rapidly, seeding the Universe we live in today. I earned my PhD in Astronomy from UT Austin in April 2025, and graduated from Smith College in May 2020 with degrees in Astronomy and Physics and a concentration in Climate Change.

In addition to my research on distant galaxies, I am also a science communicator, a climate steward, and an advocate for equity and justice in astronomy. I wrote for Astrobites for five years, and co-founded the Climate Change Committee, wherein we discuss topics at the intersection of astronomy and climate change and host Earth Week x Astrobites annually. I am also co-founder of choir, a collaboration with equal emphasis on studying galaxy evolution and bettering astronomy culture.

Interests

  • Massive galaxy evolution
  • Efficient star formation
  • Climate change literacy

Education

  • PhD in Astronomy, 2025

    UT Austin

  • BA in Astronomy & Physics, 2020

    Smith College

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