This is a list of PhD graduates of the Astronomy program at the University of Illinois. We try to keep this list up-to-date, but it is inevitable that some of the information listed below will be out-of-date. If you are a graduate of the program and your information is missing/inaccurate, please contact the department webmaster, Rebecca Bare at rsbare@illinois.edu.

     
NAMEGRADUATION DATEFIRST POSITION & INSTITUTIONCURRENT POSITION & INSTITUTIONADVISOR
Cail DaleyDecember 2024Post Doc, FrancePost Doc, FranceHolder
Frankie EncaladaDecember 2024Researcher, UIUCResearcher, UIUCLooney
Melanie ArchipleyAugust 2024Associate KICP Fellow and Postdoctoral Scholar, Calgary, AlbertaAssociate KICP Fellow and Postdoctoral Scholar, Calgary, AlbertaVieira
Kedar PhadkeAugust 2024Post Doc UIUCPost Doc UIUCVieira
Kwok Sun TangMay 2024AI Scientist specializing in LLMs, Graph Neural Networks, JP Morgan Chase, Google XAI Scientist specializing in LLMs, Graph Neural Networks, JP Morgan Chase, Google XTurk
Patrick AleoMay 2024Senior Data Scientist, Kansas City National Security CenterSenior Data Scientist, Kansas City National Security CenterNarayan
Colin BurkeAugust 2023Post Doc Yale UniversityPost Doc Yale UniversityLiu
Yu-Ching (Tony) ChenAugust 2023Post Doc John Hopkins University, MDPost Doc Johns Hopkins University, MDLiu
Alexander GaglianoMay 2023Post Doc MIT & Harvard Center for AstrophysicsPost Doc MIT & Harvard Center for AstrophysicsNarayan
Samantha ThrushMay 2023Data Scientist, Python Programmer, Science Educator, Destelbergen, BelgiumData Scientist, Python Programmer, Science Educator, Destelbergen, BelgiumKemball
Rachel HarrisonDecember 2022Post-Doc at Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaPost-Doc at Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaLooney
Jesse MillerDecember 2022Post-Doc at Boston UniversityPost-Doc at Boston UniversityFields
Adrienne ErtelDecember 2022  Fields
Sreevani JarugulaDecember 2022Post Doc at Fermi LabPost Doc at Fermi LabVieira
Jennifer LiAugust 2021Postdoc position at U of Michigan.
 
NCSA Researcher
 
Shen
Patrick MullenAugust 2021Joint postdoctoral appointment at the IAS in Princeton, NJ and CCA in NYCJoint postdoctoral appointment at the IAS in Princeton, NJ and CCA in NYCGammie
Di WenDecember 2020Postdoc at University of Groningen, NetherlandsFaculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, NetherlandsKemball
Ko-Yun (Monica) HuangDecember 2020Post doc, Leiden University, NetherlandsData Engineer, AkzoNobel, NetherlandsKemball
Wei-Ting LiaoDecember 2020ASTRO3D postdoc in University of Melbourne, AustraliaSoftware Engineer, Data Scientist, Roblox, Seattle, WATurk
Yinghe (Celeste) LuAugust 2020Postdoc at Cambridge University UKComputational Physicist | Research Software & Data Engineer, Cambridge University, UKRicker
Miguel HolgadoAugust 2020Post Doc, Carnegie Mellon UniversitySenior Data Scientist, Tokio Marine HCCRicker
Andrew NadolskiMay 2020Intel, Portland, ORIntel, Portland, ORVieira
Taylor TobinDecember 2019Post Doc at Notre Dame UniversityPost Doc, FEPS Research Group at University of MichiganKemball
Yixian CaoDecember 2018

Post doc at 

Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille, France. 
 

Post doc at 

Max Planck Institute for extraterrestrial Physics, Germany
 
Wong
Daniel GeorgeDecember 2018AI Research Scientist, Google XVice President, AI Lead, JPMorgan ChaseAllen
Ricky Chun Yin ChueDecember 2018Teaching Assistant, U of IR&D Engineer,  Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. Dongguan, Guangdong, P.R. ChinaDalal
Xilu WangDecember 2018Post Doc at Notre Dame UniversityAssociate Professor at the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.Fields
Erin CoxAugust 2018Post-Doc at Northwestern UniversitySkAI Assistant Director of Education and Outreach at Northwestern UniversityLooney
Benjamin RyanMay 2018Director's Postdoctoral Fellowship at Los Alamos National LaboratoryStaff Member at Los Alamos National LaboratoryGammie
Dominique Segura-CoxDecember 2017Postdoctoral Researcher at Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Garching, GermanyFaculty Position from University of RochesterLooney
Susmita AdhikariAugust 2017Post-Doc, Stanford University, KIPACAsst. Professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and ResearchDalal
Manichandra MorampudiDecember 2016Own business, IndiaQuazar Tech, Ltd., IndiaGammie
Brian FryAugust 2016Air ForceTechnical Staff Member at MIT Lincoln LaboratoryFields
Jessica EvansAugust 2016Visiting Lecturer, U of IPhysical Therapist, Kalamazoo, MIChu
Gary ForemanMay 2016Data Scientist, State FarmAI Engineer, Google Cloud, Phoenix, AZRicker
Rukmani VijayaraghavanAugust 2015NSF Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of VirginiaAIP/AAAS Congressional Science Fellow, US Department of Energy, Washington, DCRicker
Rui (Jerry) XueAugust 2015Post Doc, Purdue UniversitySoftware Engineer at National Radio Astronomy Observatory, IowaWong
Matias Carrasco KindDecember 2014Research Scientist, NCSAResearch Scientist, NCSABrunner
Yiran (Janet) WangDecember 2014Post Doc, NCSAStart-up Company, TexasBrunner
Ian StephensDecember 2013Postdoc, Boston UniversityAssistant Professor, Worcester State University, Worcester, MALooney
David RebolledoDecember 2013Postdoc, Univ of SydneyAstronomer at ALMA, ChileWong
Kuo-Chuan PanAugust 2013Postdoc, Department of Physics at Basel University in SwitzerlandAssociate Professor, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, TaiwanRicker
Nicholas HakobianAugust 2013Audax Health, Data ScientistStaff Data Scientist at Rally HealthCrutcher
Nachiketa ChakrabortyAugust 2013Postdoctoral Fellow at Max-Planck-Institut für KernphysikLecturer in Mathematics and Data Science, Coventry University, UKFields
Hotaka ShiokawaAugust 2013Postdoc, Johns HopkinsSenior Data Scientist at Fidelity, Boston, MAGammie
I-Jen LeeMay 2013Postdoc, University of Maryland (College Park)Consultant, Ab Initio SoftwareLooney
Ki-Jeong YimDecember 2012Postdoc, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen Korea Astronomy and Space InstituteWong
Modhurita MitraAugust 2012Postdoctoral Research Associate, U of IData Analysis Researcher , GermanyKemball
Brett HayesAugust 2012Visiting Lecturer, University of IllinoisBoost Services at EpicBrunner
Jana BilikovaMay 2012Adjunct Faculty, Santa Monica College Chu
Hsin-Fang ChiangDecember 2011Astrobiology Postdoctoral Fellow at Institute for Astronomy, University of HawaiiData Management Science Analyst and Engineer, Rubin Observatory, San Francisco, CALooney
Joshua DolenceDecember 2011Postdoctoral Research Associate, Princeton UniversityScientist at Los Alamos National LaboratoryGammie
Troy HackerDecember 2011Major, United States Air ForceProgram Director at TEC SolutionsBrunner
Nicholas IndrioloAugust 2011Assistant Research Scientist, Johns Hopkins UniversityScientist, Space Telescope Science InstituteMcCall
Amy LienAugust 2011Research Fellow, NASA/GSFCAssistant Professor of Physics, University of TampaFields
Hsiang-Yi (Karen) YangAugust 2011Postdoctoral Researcher, University of MichiganAssistant Professor, National Tsing Hua UniversityRicker
Paul SutterAugust 2011Paris Institute of AstrophysicsCenter for Computational Astrophysics at the Flatiron InstituteRicker
Po Kin LeungDecember 2010Postdoc at UC Santa BarbaraSenior Lecturer, Chinese University of Hong KongGammie
Jonathan SealeDecember 2010Postdoc at Space Telescope Science InstitutePrincipal Data Scientist & Big Data Architect at ATA, LLC; Washington, DCLooney
Jeeseon SongDecember 2010Postdoc at University of MichiganHigh School Math and Physics Teacher, SingaporeMohr
Chao-Chin YangAugust 2010Postdoc at UC Santa CruzSenior Research fellow at Lund Observatory, SwedenRicker
Rishi KhatriAugust 2010Postdoc at Max-Planck-Institut für AstrophysikTata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, IndiaWandelt
Woojin KwonDecember 2009Postdoc at University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignStaff, Korea Astronomy and Space Science InstituteLooney
Xiaoyue GuanOctober 2009Postdoc at University of Virginia ChevronGammie
Britt LundgrenOctober 2009Postdoc at Yale UniversityAssociate Professor of Physics, UNC-AshevilleBrunner
Ashley RossOctober 2009Postdoc at University of Portsmouth (UK)Research Scientist at Ohio State UniversityBrunner
Zarija LukicOctober 2008Postdoc at Los Alamos National LabResearch Scientist at the U.S. Department of EnergyRicker
Yu-Shao "Jerry" ShiaoOctober 2008Postdoc at ASIAAJoint Associate Fellow, Leung Center for Cosmology and Particle Astrophysics, National Taiwan UniversityLooney
Shiya WangOctober 2008Postdoc at University of MichiganUranium and TENORM Lead at Colorado Department of Public Health and EnvironmentLooney
Amit Pratap Singh YadavOctober 2008Postdoc at Harvard Center for Astrophysics Wandelt
Bryan C. DunneMay 2007Visiting Teaching Associate, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignTeaching Assistant Professor of Astronomy, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChu
Chang-Hui Rosie ChenMay 2007Postdoc, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignScientific Staff, Max Planck Institute for Radio AstronomyChu
Tijana ProdanovicOctober 2006Research Associate, University of Novi Sad, SerbiaProfessor, University of Novi Sad, SerbiaFields
Yun ChenMay 2006  Research Associate, National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of SciencesLamb
Douglas FriedelDecember 2005Postdoc, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignSr. Research Programmer, NCSA, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignSnyder
Paulo CortesDecember 2005Postdoc, Universidad de Chile, SantiagoStaff Astronomer, ALMA, Santiago, ChileCrutcher
Paschalis PaschosDecember 2005Research Associate, University of California, San DiegoSr. Computational Scientist at University of ChicagoNorman
Vasiliki PavlidouOctober 2005Postdoc, University of ChicagoProfessor, University of CreteFields
Konstantinos TassisOctober 2005Postdoc, University of ChicagoProfessor, University of CreteMouschovias
Ian O'DwyerOctober 2005NRC Fellow, JPL/CaltechCOO of Rosemont Veterinary Hospital LaCrescenta, CaliforniaWandelt
Yen-Ting LinAugust 2005Fellow, Princeton/Pontificia Universidad Catolica de ChileAssociate research fellow, Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia SinicaMohr
Anthony RemijanJanuary 2004Postdoc, GSFC Scientist; Manager of Observatory Scientific Support and Research, NRAOSnyder
Wen-Ching LinOctober 2003Postdoc, University of California San DiegoMachine Learning Engineer, META, CANorman
Michelle GriffinDecember 2003Language Student Thompson
David FongMay 2003Postdoc, Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, HawaiiProfessor, Olympic College, WashingtonMeixner
Richard FrazinMay 2002Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge MAAssociate Research Scientist, University of MichiganMihalas
Toshiya UetaMay 2002Postdoc, Royal Observatory of BelgiumAssociate Professor, University of DenverMeixner
Sean PointsOctober 2001Postdoc, Northwestern UniversityScientist, NOAO/CTIO, ChileChu
Shih-Ping LaiOctober 2001Postdoc, JPLProfessor, National Tsing-Hua University, TaiwanCrutcher
Ward ManchesterMay 2000Research Fellow, University of MichiganResearch Professor, University of MichiganMihalas
Jeff VealMay 2000Instructor, Southwestern CollegeProfessor, Southwestern CollegeSnyder
Sheng-Yuan LiuJanuary 2000Postdoc, California Institute of TechnologyAdjunct Assistant Professor, Institute of Astronomy, National Tsing Hua UniversitySnyder
Ramprasad RaoMay 1999Postdoc, University of ChicagoPhysicist/Astronomy at Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & SmithsonianCrutcher
Rosa WilliamsMay 1999Postdoc, GSFCProfessor/Mead Observatory Director, Columbus State University, GeorgiaChu
Rolaine Young OwlMay 1999Postdoc, UCLALives in CaliforniaThompson
Dimitrios PsaltisOctober 1998Postdoc, Harvard Smithsonian CfA - FellowProfessor of Astronomy, University of ArizonaLamb
Vassiliki (Vicky) KalogeraOctober 1997Postdoc, Harvard Smithsonian CfA - FellowDaniel I. Linzer Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Northwestern University
Co-Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA)
Webbink
Lisa Norton YoungMay 1997Postdoc, New Mexico State University - FellowLecturer at UIUCLo
Gregory BryanOctober 1996Research Associate, MIT Department of PhysicsProfessor, Columbia UniversityNorman
Nina Yanti MiaoOctober 1996Postdoc, UIUCCEO, Nanjing Olo Home Furnishing Co., LtdSnyder
Yu ZhangOctober 1996Postdoc, University of Rochester Medical CenterStaff Scientist, University of Rochester Medical CenterNorman
David J. BellMay 1996Support Scientist, NOAO

IT Specialist, Tucson, Arizona Area

 

Yoss
Byung-Il JunOctober 1995Postdoc, University of MinnesotaScientist, Lawrence Livermore National LabNorman
Letizia StanghelliniMay 1995Tenured Astronomer, Osservatorio Astronomico di Bologna, ItalyAstronomer, Head of National Gemini Office, NOAO/Kitt PeakKaler
Yi-Jehng KuanJanuary 1995Postdoc, Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, TaiwanProfessor, National Taiwan Normal UniversitySnyder
Raymond PlanteJanuary 1995Visiting Postdoc, NCSANational Institute of Standards and Technology; Gaithersburg, MDLo
Paul D. GensheimerOctober 1994Postdoc, Max-Planck-Institut fur RadioastronomieLives in New MexicoSnyder
Baolian ChengOctober 1993Postdoc, Los Alamos National LabScientist, Los Alamos National LabTruran
John C. HayesOctober 1993Postdoc, University of Arizonaformer professor at UC San DiegoMihalas
Bennett LinkOctober 1991Postdoc, Los Alamos National LabProfessor, Montana State UniversityBaym
Jin WangOctober 1991Postdoc, UIUC, Chemistry Dept.Affiliated Professor, SUNY Stony BrookNanopoulos
Grant BazanMay 1991Postdoc, University of Texas

ACC Program Manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory Santa Fe, New Mexico Area

 

Truran
Dinshaw BalsaraJanuary 1991Postdoc, Johns Hopkins UniversityProfessor, Notre DameNorman
James M.  StoneOctober 1990Postdoc, NCSAProfessor, Princeton UniversityNorman
Gunnlaugur BjornssonMay 1990Postdoc, University of IcelandResearch Scientist, University of IcelandTruran
Preethi PratapMay 1990Postdoc, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Senior Technical Fellow/Chief Engineer at Raytheon, Boxborough, MA

 

Snyder
Anurag ShankarMay 1990Postdoc, University of ArizonaSenior Security Analyst, Indiana UniversityTruran
Michael HjellmingOctober 1989Postdoc, Northwestern UniversitySVP, Shared Operations Technology Manager, Bank of America, North CarolinaWebbink
Robert LoushinOctober 1989Staff, 3MQuality Assurance Engineer at Carestream Health, Minneapolis, MNWebbink
Richard ArendtJanuary 1989NRC Associateship, GSFC

Sr Res Sci, Center for Space Science and Technology, GSFC

 

Dickel
Andrew AbrahamsOctober 1988Research Associate, Cornell UniversityCOO of Long Dream Farm, Lincoln, CASmarr
Peter BarnesOctober 1988Postdoc, CITA, University of TorontoAssociate Scientist, University of FloridaCrutcher
Dave HollowellMay 1988Scientist, Los Alamos National LabScientist, Los Alamos National LabIben
Carol NeeseOctober 1987Scientist, NOAOScientist, Planetary Science Institute, TucsonYoss
Howard Bushouse1986NRC Associateship, NASA Ames Research CenterSenior Scientific Programmer, STScIGallagher
Mark Schenewerk1986Geoscientist, NOAANational Geodetic SurveySnyder
Dean Sumi1986Postdoctoral Research Associate, NCSAPrincipal Electrical Engineer, MITRE; CaliforniaSmarr
Richard Shaw1985Post Doc, Lick Observatory

Senior Archive Scientist, Space Telescope Science Institute

 

Kaler
John F. HawleyOctober 1984Bantrell Fellow at the California Institute of TechnologyVITA Professor, Associate Dean, University of VirginiaSmarr
Scott Kenyon1983Post Doc, Center for AstrophysicsSenior Scientist, Smithsonian Astrophysical ObservatoryWebbink
David J. Lien1983 Lives in ArizonaSnyder
Kenneth Cosner1982Physicist at MRCSr. Software Developer at Citadel LLC, ChicagoTruran
Deidre Hunter1982postdoctoral fellowship at Kitt Peak National ObservatoryAstronomer, Lowell ObservatoryGallagher
Allan Wirth1982Post Doc, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Technical Staff at MIT Lincoln Labs

 

Gallagher
Philip R. Jewell1982 Deputy Director, NRAOSnyder
Wendee M. Brunish1981Post Doc, University of Southern CaliforniaScientist, Los Alamos National LabTruran
William I. Hartkopf1981Research Associate, Georgia State UniversityScientist, US Naval Observatory, retiredYoss
Stephen A. Becker1979 Scientist, Los Alamos National LabIben
John Lavery1978 Defense & Space Professional, San DiegoTruran
Richard R. Radick1978 retired from NOAO, National Solar ObservatoryGallagher
Willis Boughton1977 Retired IT Faculty, Harper CollegeDickel
Sherman Kanagy1977Visiting professor, UIUCRetiredWyatt
L. Drake DemingMay 1976 Professor, University of MarylandOlson
J. Richard DoughtyDecember 1976  Kaler
Carolyn Lowrey MatthewsAugust 1975 Lives in CAKaler
Bert W. RustDecember 1974Scientist, Oak Ridge National LaboratoryScientist, NISTOlson
Joseph DegioanniAugust 1973Resident in Space Medicine, Ohio State University Medical SchoolCEO, Emtel, Inc.Dickel
Bruno JamborMay 1973Principal Engineer, Lockheed Martin Corp., Denver, CORetired. Author, resides in ColoradoWyatt
Anthony WillisOctober 1972Postdoc, Leiden Observatory, The Netherlandsretired from National Research Council of CanadaDickel
George NickasJune 1972 Professor Emeritus, Hanover CollegeWyatt
Edward W. WeisJune 1972 Professor Emeritus, Wesleyan UniversityKaler
Julie H. LutzFebruary 1972 University of Washington, Emerita Research ProfessorKaler
Marshall FaintichJune 1971 Author, resides in VirginiaWyatt
William W. WarnockSept. 1971NRC Associateship, NOAA Environmental Research Laboratory Dickel
Thomas MayJune 1970 Professor Emeritus, San Diego State UniversityMcVittie
Peter MelvinJune 1970Instructor of Physical Science, UIUC LAS AdminAstrophysicist, Naval Research Laboratory (deceased)McVittie
Thomas LutzOctober 1969 Professor, Washington State University (deceased)Wyatt
Richard R. RingenbergOctober 1969 Research Scientist, US GovernmentMcVittie
Gary C. GoodmanJune 1969Postdoc in Planetary Sciences, NASA Ames Research CenterProfessor, Oxnard College (retired)Dickel
Michael E. CahillFebruary 1969 Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin West Bend, (deceased)McVittie
Joseph W. ErkesOctober 1968 Physicist, General Electric, retiredDickel
Leo V. StandefordJune 1968 Professor, Mankato State University (deceased)Wyatt
Paul D. LeeFebruary 1968 Professor, Middle Tennessee State University, retiredKaler
William E. GreigOctober 1967  Kaler
Raymond E. WhiteFebruary 1967 Professor Emeritus, University of Arizona (deceased)McVittie
Elaine AvnerJanuary 1965Troy State University, AlabamaSenior Research Scientist, CERL Emerita, UIUC (deceased)King
John E. GeislerJanuary 1965Post Doc at MITUniversity of Utah, Professor Emeritus of Meteorology (deceased)Bowhill
Pamela A. Gray GeislerJanuary 1965 Strategic Consultant, Speaker and AuthorMcVittie
Ronald A. SchornJanuary 1963Jet Propulsion LaboratoryProfessor, editor, author (deceased)Wyatt
Robert C. RoederNovember 1962Assistant Professor, Queen's UniversityProfessor Emeritus, Southwestern UniversityMcVittie
Charles C. Wylie1922 Professor Emeritus, University of Iowa (deceased)