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Olivia Cooper

NSF Graduate Research Fellow

UT Austin Astronomy

Hey! I’m Olivia (she/her), an NSF fellow and final year PhD candidate at UT Austin. I am a galaxy observer, and my research focuses specifically on massive galaxies and their role within galaxy evolution in the first half of cosmic time. I 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’ve written for Astrobites for the past four 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 co-chair the Outreach Committee of COSMOS-Web, which aims to engage the public with the science results from the largest-area JWST legacy image. 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 (expected)

    UT Austin

  • BA in Astronomy & Physics, 2020

    Smith College

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