In my research, I strive to understand how massive stars evolve, from birth to final core-collapse into neutron stars or black holes. I do this by collecting multi-wavelength spectroscopic, photometric, and interferometric data with the world's largest telescopes such as the Very Large Telescope (VLT). I develop and utilize state-of-the-art model atmospheres and spectral disentangling algorithms to derive robust constraints on the progenitors of compact objects (Wolf-Rayet stars, OB-type stars, stripped stars). My research focuses on massive binaries, which represent the most common configuration of massive stars.
I am a co-developer of the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) code and spectral disentangling software. I am a consortium member of 4MOST and MSE.
I am a consortium member of European Extremely Large Telescope’s (E-ELT) 2nd light instrument MOSAIC, leading to the direct involvement of TAU in the development of the largest telescope currently built.
I am the PI of the Binarity at LOw Metallicity (BLOeM) ESO Large Programme.
Key research interests include:
- Spectroscopy of massive stars and binaries
- Advanced evolutionary stages of massive stars (e.g., Wolf-Rayet stars)
- Search for black holes in binaries
- Post-interaction binaries (e.g., Oe/Be stars, helium stars)
- Development of model atmospheres for massive stars
- Massive stars at low metallicit
