Erika Hamden

Dr. Erika Hamden is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Arizona, specializing in the observation and mapping of diffuse hydrogen in galaxies and star-forming regions within our own galaxy. She is deeply involved in several innovative astronomical projects, including FIREBall, a UV balloon-borne telescope; KCRM, a spectrograph for the Keck telescope; and Hyperion, her current undertaking to develop a UV space telescope. Her extensive research and projects aim to expand our understanding of the universe.

Hamden completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard, earning a bachelor's degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics in 2006. She then attained her PhD from Columbia University in 2014. Her academic journey continued as she served as an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow and the R.A. and G.B. Millikan Prize Postdoctoral Fellow in Experimental Physics at the California Institute of Technology. In recognition of her contributions to detector technology, she was awarded the Nancy Grace Roman Technology Fellowship in 2016. Additionally, she has been acknowledged as a 2019 TED Fellow, highlighting her influential work and communication in the field of astrophysics.

Outside of her professional achievements, Hamden maintains a strong interest in personal growth and recreation. She is an avid yoga practitioner, is currently learning to fly a plane, and enjoys hiking in the deserts surrounding Tucson. These activities complement her rigorous scientific pursuits, illustrating her commitment to both her professional and personal life.