Couple Commit to Astronomical Support for CSUF Gravitational-Wave Research

Gift Paves Way for Future Cosmic Discoveries

Oct. 29, 2019

Nicholas and Lee Begovich Center for Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy

Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy Center: Established in 2012
Mission: Gravitational-wave research, education and outreach
First gravitational-wave discovery: Sept. 14, 2015, from merging black holes that confirmed a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915 general theory of relativity.
More discoveries: A total of 10 binary black hole mergers and one binary neutron star merger confirmed to date; researchers are studying other potential candidates, including a black hole-neutron star merger.

Faculty, Students and Support

Joshua Smith, professor of physics and Dan Black Director of Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy
Jocelyn Read, associate professor of physics and a neutron star astrophysicist
Geoffrey Lovelace, associate professor of physics and a numerical relativist
Alfonso Agnew, chair and professor of mathematics and a mathematical relativist
Joseph Areeda, computation specialist
Two postdoctoral scholars, including current scholar Phil Landry
20 current students working on research
30 alumni, including 12 students pursuing or have completed doctoral programs related to gravitational-wave research at such institutions as Caltech, Syracuse University and Louisiana State University; 15 alumni working in industry
90 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals; many with student co-authors
$5 million in federal funding, including the National Science Foundation
$700,000 in philanthropic support, including from physics alumnus Dan Black and biology alumna Nancy Goodhue-McWilliams

Related stories:

First Gravitational Wave Discovery
Neutron Stars Collide
A First-Ever Cosmic Collision?
For more information or to support gravitational-wave research, visit the center’s website or contact Michael Karg, senior director of development, 657-278-3348.