Suvi Gezari is an assistant professor at the Astronomy Department, where her research focus is on time domain astrophysics. She uses the Pan-STARRS1 (PS1) Survey at optical wavelengths and the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) Time Domain Survey at ultraviolet wavelengths, together with follow-up space-based and ground-based observations from across the electromagnetic spectrum, to discover and characterize transients and study their physical properties. Her transients of interest include variable active galactic nuclei, core-collapse supernova explosions of massive stars, and flares from the tidal disruption of stars by supermassive black holes.

Research Projects

• Optical photometric selection and multi wavelength follow-up of tidal disruption event candidates in the Pan-STARRS1 survey.
• UV and optical variability of active galactic nuclei from the GALEX Time Domain Survey and Pan-STARRS1.
• Probing the progenitor stars of core-collapse supernovae from UV observations of shock breakout.

Notable Publications

• "An Ultraviolet-optical Flare from the Tidal Disruption of a Helium-rich Stellar Core.", Gezari, S. et al., Nature. 485, 217 (2012).
• "GALEX and Pan-STARRS1 Discovery of SN IIP 2010aq:  The First Few Days After Shock Breakout in a Red Supergiant Star", Gezari, S. et al., ApJ, 720, L77 (2010).