UCLA professor of physics and astronomy Steven Furlanetto has been named a 2025 American Physical Society (APS) Fellow by the Division of Astrophysics. He was honored, “for contributions to theoretical models of the earliest generations of structures in our universe, their impact on cosmic reionization, and strategies to measure their properties, especially the spin-flip transition of neutral hydrogen,” the APS said.
Furlanetto’s work focuses on theoretical cosmology, which uses math and physics to explain how the universe works. He studies the early eras when the first stars and galaxies formed, how they influenced the gas between galaxies and how these processes shaped the world as we know it. His specific focuses include reionization and the high-redshift universe, the 21-centimeter transition, helium reionization, structure formation and galaxy feedback.
The Furlanetto research group at UCLA analyzes the formation of the first stars, black holes and galaxies, as well as their effects on our surroundings. The team also investigates how astronomers can measure the effects of these cosmic phenomena and collaborates with the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array, the Network for Exploration and Space Science, the PRIMER survey for distant galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope, and the EXPO team supporting the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Furlanetto has contributed to numerous publications and co-authored “The First Galaxies in the Universe,” a book that provides a comprehensive overview of the formation of some of the earliest cosmic structures.
APS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing physics for the benefit of society. Fellows of the Division of Astrophysics must have pioneered independent, original research that pushes the boundaries of the field. Furlanetto joins an elite group of scientists recognized for their talent, distinction and expertise.
