Laura A. Lopez

Laura A. Lopez
Alma materMassachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California Santa Cruz Ph.D.
Scientific career
FieldsAstrophysics
InstitutionsOhio State University
ThesisThe tumultuous lives and deaths of stars (2011)
Doctoral advisorEnrico Ramirez-Ruiz, Mark R. Krumholz

Laura A. Lopez is a full professor of astronomy at The Ohio State University.[1] She is a multiwavelength observer who is broadly interested in topics related to stellar feedback, supernovae (SNe), galactic winds, and the interstellar medium (ISM) in galaxies. Prof. Lopez aims to bridge the gap between observations and theory by developing meaningful ways to compare theoretical predictions to observational results. Prof. Lopez uses observational facilities which cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum - radio, mm, infrared, optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray - to have a complete view of the relevant processes in galaxies and the ISM. In addition to her research, Prof. Lopez is also deeply committed to enhancing the participation and retention of students in the sciences.

Prof. Lopez was awarded the Annie Jump Cannon Award of the American Astronomical Society in 2016, a Cottrell Scholar Award in 2019, the AAS High-Energy Astrophysics Division Early Career Prize in 2022, the OSU College of Arts & Sciences Diversity Enhancement Faculty Award in 2022, and the OSU College of Arts & Sciences Mid-Career Faculty Excellence Award in 2025.

Early life and education

Lopez grew up in Barrington, IL, and graduated from Barrington High School in 2000.[2] Lopez received her undergraduate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2004. Lopez earned her PhD in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of California Santa Cruz in 2011. After completing her PhD she was an Einstein Fellow and Pappalardo Fellow in Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2011–2014). Following that, she was a Hubble Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (2014–2015).[3]

Career

Lopez has contributed to the field of the life cycle of stars. She has used the NuSTAR X-ray satellite to study Tycho's Supernova remnant.[4] Using optical, infrared, radio, and X-ray images, she measured the pressures exerted on the remnant shells from direct stellar radiation, dust-processed radiation, warm ionized gas, and hot X-ray-emitting gas.[5]

Lopez has used data acquired from various observatories to show that Supernova Remnant (SNR) 0104–72.3 in the Small Magellanic Cloud arose from a jet-driven bipolar core-collapse supernova.[6]

Using the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Lopez observed the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) W49B to understand the thermodynamic properties and explosive origin of the SNR. The observed electron temperature and absorbing column toward W49B suggest that the mean metal abundances are consistent with the predicted yields in models of bipolar/jet-driven core-collapse SNe. W49B is thus likely a bipolar Type Ib/Ic SN, making it the first of its kind to be discovered in the Milky Way.[7]

Lopez is interested in diversity in astronomy and is an advocate of the LGBTQ astronomical community. Additionally, she has previously served on the AAS Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy (CSMA).[8]

Awards

  • 2026 – Edward A. Bouchet Award by the American Physical Society, "for pioneering contributions to X-ray astronomy, including foundational studies of supernova remnants, compact objects, and stellar feedback in galaxies, and for transformative leadership in advancing equity and inclusion in physics through innovative mentorship programs, national advocacy, and unwavering support for students from historically marginalized communities."[9]
  • 2025 – Nancy Grace Roman Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific[10]
  • 2025 – Fellow of the American Astronomical Society, "for outstanding research contributions in the multiwavelength study of supernovae, compact objects, star formation, the interstellar medium, and galaxy evolution; for extensive contributions in advancing equity and inclusion in astronomy and physics through transformative mentorship programs; and for nearly 20 years of national leadership in the AAS".[11]
  • 2019-2022 – Cottrell Scholar Award by Research Corporation for Science Advancement [12]
  • 2016 – Annie Jump Cannon Award by American Astronomical Society[13]

Selected publications

References

  1. ^ "Laura Lopez | Department of Astronomy". astronomy.osu.edu. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  2. ^ "BHS graduates talk about careers in astronomy, marine biology". Chicago Tribune. 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  3. ^ "Laura Lopez's personal page".
  4. ^ Lopez, Laura A.; Grefenstette, Brian W.; Reynolds, Stephen P.; An, Hongjun; Boggs, Steven E.; Christensen, Finn E.; Craig, William W.; Eriksen, Kristoffer A.; Fryer, Chris L. (2015). "A SPATIALLY RESOLVED STUDY OF THE SYNCHROTRON EMISSION AND TITANIUM IN TYCHO'S SUPERNOVA REMNANT USINGNuSTAR". The Astrophysical Journal. 814 (2): 132. arXiv:1504.07238. Bibcode:2015ApJ...814..132L. doi:10.1088/0004-637x/814/2/132. S2CID 23932358.
  5. ^ Lopez, Laura A.; Krumholz, Mark R.; Bolatto, Alberto D.; Prochaska, J. Xavier; Ramirez-Ruiz, Enrico; Daniel Castro (2014-01-01). "The Role of Stellar Feedback in the Dynamics of H II Regions". The Astrophysical Journal. 795 (2): 121. arXiv:1309.5421. Bibcode:2014ApJ...795..121L. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/795/2/121. hdl:1885/152107. ISSN 0004-637X. S2CID 13365680.
  6. ^ Lopez, Laura A.; Castro, Daniel; Slane, Patrick O.; Ramirez-Ruiz, Enrico; Badenes, Carles (2014-01-01). "Identification of a Jet-driven Supernova Remnant in the Small Magellanic Cloud: Possible Evidence for the Enhancement of Bipolar Explosions at Low Metallicity". The Astrophysical Journal. 788 (1): 5. arXiv:1310.4498. Bibcode:2014ApJ...788....5L. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/788/1/5. ISSN 0004-637X. S2CID 41133138.
  7. ^ Lopez, Laura A.; Ramirez-Ruiz, Enrico; Castro, Daniel; Pearson, Sarah (2013-01-01). "The Galactic Supernova Remnant W49B Likely Originates from a Jet-driven, Core-collapse Explosion". The Astrophysical Journal. 764 (1): 50. arXiv:1301.0618. Bibcode:2013ApJ...764...50L. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/764/1/50. hdl:1721.1/94512. ISSN 0004-637X. S2CID 15588994.
  8. ^ "About Me". www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  9. ^ "Laura Lopez awarded 2026 Edward A. Bouchet Award | Department of Astronomy". astronomy.osu.edu. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  10. ^ "Nancy Grace Roman Award : Awards : WHO WE ARE : Astronomical Society of the Pacific". astrosociety.org. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  11. ^ "AAS Names 24 New Fellows for 2025". American Astronomical Society. January 13, 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
  12. ^ "RCSA Names Two Dozen 2019 Cottrell Scholars | Research Corporation for Science Advancement". rescorp.org. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
  13. ^ "Annie Jump Cannon Award in Astronomy | American Astronomical Society". aas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-27.
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