For Students

I supervise BSc and MSc theses as well as research internships. The core scientific goal of these projects is to investigate how galaxies and the large-scale structure of the Universe form and evolve, using cosmological simulations, HPC data analysis, GPU computing, and machine learning. Available topics are listed below. If one of them interests you — or if you have your own idea in a related direction — you are welcome to get in touch.

Available Project Topics 10

Open topics for BSc, MSc and internship projects.

1 The redistribution of baryonic matter in and around haloes, out to the Closure Radius

According to measurements of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and the standard model of cosmology (ΛCDM), about 16% of the universe's matter density is in the form of baryonic matter, with the rest being dark matter. Due to the different physical interactions of these components, their distributions within cosmic structures are not identical. Various physical processes, including energetic feedback from stars (supernovae) and supermassive black holes (AGN), can redistribute baryonic matter beyond the traditional boundaries of dark matter halos, potentially out to a scale known as the closure radius. This redistribution and the physical processes responsible for it are not yet fully understood.

Supernova and AGN feedbackCircumgalactic Medium (CGM)Intracluster Medium (ICM)Intergalactic Medium (IGM)Galaxy formation and evolutionLarge-scale structureCosmological simulationsClosure radiusBaryon redistributionX-ray ObservationsSZ ObservationsGravitational Lensing

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, Flamingo, SIMBA …), The particle data of the simulations, programming languages (e.g. python)

2 The Physics of Galaxy Clusters and Groups, Their Outskirts, and Connecting Filaments

The cosmic web is the large-scale structure of the universe, characterized by a network of interconnected filaments, sheets, and voids. Galaxies, galaxy groups, and clusters are embedded within this web-like structure. Recently, eROSITA observations have discovered the existence of X-ray emitting gas beyond the typical boundaries of galaxy clusters and in filamentary structures connecting galaxy clusters and groups. This project aims to understand different elements of the cosmic web, with a special focus on connecting theory and observations.

Galaxy clustersGalaxy groupsHalo outskirtsIntergalactic Medium (IGM)Cosmic webFilamentsBaryonsHot X-ray gasAGN feedback

Tools: Cosmological simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, etc.), simulation particle data, X-ray observations, programming languages (e.g., Python)

3 The impact of Environment on Galaxy Evolution

Galaxies are not isolated objects whose evolution depends merely on intrinsic physical processes. Instead, the evolution of galaxies can be significantly affected by processes related to their local background environment (LBE) and their location within the cosmic web. However, the quantitative correlations between these non-intrinsic processes and galaxies' properties are yet to be fully understood. This project aims to uncover these complex connections, through both simulations and observations.

Environmental processesSatellite and Central galaxiesGalaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), Observational data of galaxies including EUCLID and DESI, programming languages (e.g. python)

4 Exploring large-scale correlations between galaxy properties (Galactic Conformity)

Galaxies that sit near one another tend to share properties: star-forming galaxies are preferentially found close to other star-forming galaxies, and quenched ones near other quenched ones. Within a single halo, this so-called one-halo (small-scale) conformity is mostly explained by satellites responding to the environment of their central galaxy. The puzzle is the two-halo (large-scale) signal, where the correlation persists between galaxies in separate haloes out to several megaparsecs — far beyond the reach of any direct interaction. Whether this reflects genuine large-scale physical influence, environmental effects, the assembly history imprinted by the surrounding cosmic web, or a selection effect of how haloes are counted, remains debated. This project aims to measure the conformity signal consistently across simulations and observations, and to disentangle which physical processes actually produce it.

Galactic conformityEnvironmental processesCentral and satellite galaxiesStar formation quenchingLarge-scale structureCosmic webAssembly biasGalaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), Observational data of galaxies including SDSS, DESI, and EUCLID, programming languages (e.g. python)

5 Studying The Formation and Evolution of Dwarf Galaxies

Dwarf galaxies are the smallest and least luminous galaxies in the universe, often containing only a few billion stars. They are very important for understanding galaxy formation and evolution because they are thought to be the building blocks of larger galaxies. Additionally, dwarf galaxies are sensitive to environmental effects and internal processes due to their low mass and shallow gravitational potential wells.

Dwarf GalaxiesEnvironmental processesLocal GroupFornaxEuclidGalaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), Observational data from Fornax Deep Survey and Euclid, programming languages (e.g. python)

6 Simulating the Real Universe

The L-Galaxies model implements a comprehensive set of physical recipes to model galaxy formation and baryonic physics on dark matter-only simulations. This project aims to use L-Galaxies for modeling a box very similar to the real Universe. This enables us to perform a comprehensive study of the history of galaxies and cosmological structures and uncover the physics behind the formation and evolution of galaxies.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsLocal GroupConstrained Simulations

Tools: The L-Galaxies semi-analytical model of galaxy formation, programming languages (C/C++ and python)

7 The Formation and Evolution of High-Redshift Galaxies Observed by JWST

Galaxies observed at high redshift (z > 3) represent a critical epoch in cosmic history, corresponding to the peak and subsequent decline of cosmic star formation activity. With recent advances in observational techniques (e.g., JWST, ALMA, Euclid), combined with high-resolution cosmological simulations, it is now feasible to explore the physical characteristics of galaxies at this pivotal epoch. Current cosmological simulations, however, fail to reproduce the properties of high-redshift galaxies. This project aims to uncover the missing physics in our theoretical models.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsHigh-RedshiftJWST observationsGalaxy QuenchingAGN Feedback

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), Observational data from JWST, programming languages (e.g. python)

8 Metals in the Universe

The genesis of elements and metals in the cosmos is a captivating narrative that begins within the Big Bang and continues with stellar evolution. However, the migration of these metals from the Interstellar Medium (ISM) to the Intergalactic Medium (IGM) and Intracluster Medium (ICM) is still a complex puzzle. This project aims to uncover the journey of metals within the cosmic framework by tracing them through high resolution hydrodynamical simulations such as IllustrisTNG.

Supernova and AGN feedbackEnvironmental processesCircumgalactic Medium (CGM)Intracluster Medium (ICM)Intergalactic Medium (IGM)Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), The particle data of the simulations, programming languages (e.g. python)

9 Machine Learning Applications in Astrophysics

Machine Learning could play an important role in most of the projects described above. Interested students are encouraged to contact me for more information.

Galaxy Formation and EvolutionMachine Learning

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), programming languages (e.g. python)

10 PROFI, an efficient code for computing matter distribution in and around cosmological structure

To understand how physical processes shape cosmological structures, it is essential to analyze the distribution of different types of matter (gas, stars, black holes, dark matter) in and around these structures. PROFI is a private code that measures several relevant quantities, including profiles of density, velocity, entropy, temperature, and more. The current version works primarily on halo-shaped structures. To account for other structural shapes, PROFI should be extended. Students interested in computer science and coding in astrophysics, particularly those with experience or interest in C/C++, are encouraged to contact me.

Galaxy Formation and EvolutionProfessional CodingSoftware Development

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), programming languages (e.g. python, C/C++)

General Required Skills and Knowledge

Basic knowledge of astrophysics and galaxy formation is necessary. However, knowing the details of the project description above is NOT required.
Computer programming: The student is expected to be familiar with general computer programming. For instance, opening files and doing basic calculations such as calculating the min, max, and so on. Previous experience with data analysis and/or working with simulation data would be useful but not necessary.

Former & Ongoing Projects 11

Projects I have supervised, and where they led.

Luca Saewe Internship/Master's project → Paper in Prep.

Studying the formation and evolution of cosmological structures using machine learning techniques

This project aims to develop a sophisticated machine learning pipeline to make reliable predictions for the formation history and structure of halos, from Milky Way-like systems to massive galaxy clusters.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsGalaxy Groups and ClustersMachine Learning

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), programming languages (e.g. python and C++), Machine Learning relevant libraries

Eugene Lee Internship/Master's project → Paper in Prep.

An investigation of the impact of feedback and mergers on the structure and dynamics of the gas within and beyond the halo boundary

This project aims to investigate how internal feedback processes together with halo mergers shape the structure and dynamics of the gas, extending from the halo center out to the Closure Radius.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsStellar FeedbackAGN FeedbackMergers

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), programming languages (e.g. python and C++)

Laksh Gupta Internship/Master's project → Paper in Prep.

Discovering the interconnections between physical processes in galaxy evolution through numerical simulations

This project aims to study the complex interplay of internal and external processes in galaxy evolution and their impact on the formation and evolution of galaxies and large-scale structure.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsLocal UniverseGalaxy QuenchingInternal and External Processes

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), Observational data (SDSS, DESI, HSC), programming languages (e.g. python and C++)

Aleyna Döven Master's project → Paper in Prep.

The formation and evolution of protoclusters at high-redshifts

This project aims to study the formation and evolution of protoclusters and their galaxies at high-redshifts, using numerical simulations.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsHigh-RedshiftJWST observationsGalaxy QuenchingAGN Feedback

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), Observational data from JWST, programming languages (e.g. python and C++)

Sahar Sarmadian Master's project → Paper in Prep.

The formation and evolution of faint dwarf galaxies across the cosmic web

This project aims to study the formation and evolution of the least massive galaxies in the universe, known as dwarf galaxies.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsLocal UniverseOptical and Radio ObservationsGalaxy QuenchingStellar and AGN FeedbackEnvironmental Processes

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), Observational data from various surveys, programming languages (e.g. python)

David Leonhard Master's project → Paper in Prep.

Studying the distribution of hot, X-ray emitting gas in and around galaxy clusters using Machine Learning techniques

This project aims to use advanced Machine Learning techniques to understand the distribution of X-ray emitting hot gas in galaxy clusters.

Galaxy ClustersX-ray astronomyMachine learningCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), The particle data of the simulations, programming languages (e.g. python)

Aleyna Döven Internship/Master's project → Paper Published in A&A

The formation and evolution of high-z galaxies

This project aims to study the formation and evolution of galaxies at high-redshifts, using numerical simulations.

Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulationsHigh-RedshiftJWST observationsGalaxy QuenchingAGN Feedback

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (L-Galaxies, IllustrisTNG, EAGLE, …), Observational data from JWST, programming languages (e.g. python)

Milan Staffehl Master's project → Paper Published

Exploring the origin of the cold gas in galaxy clusters and galaxy groups

Galaxy clusters and galaxy groups are the most massive objects in the Universe. Observations and simulations suggest that the gas is multiphase with complex distribution and dynamics. One of the major complexities is the presence of cold gas (T~10^4 K) among the hotter halo gas (T>10^6), which is not understood yet. Employing hydrodynamical simulations, the aim of this project is to uncover the origin of this cold gas.

Circumgalactic Medium (CGM)Intracluster medium (ICM)Galaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), The particle data of the simulations, programming languages (e.g. python)

Finlay Taylor Master's project

Discovering the impact of supermassive black hole feedback on low-mass galaxies and haloes

Every galaxy is believed to have a supermassive black hole (SMBH) at its center. The impact of SMBH feedback on low-mass galaxies is still poorly understood. This project aims to uncover the physical effects of SMBH feedback on the properties of low-mass galaxies and their surrounding gaseous halos.

Black holes and AGN feedbackGalaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), The particle data of the simulations, programming languages (e.g. python)

Shera Jafaritabar Master's internship project

Distribution of Baryons vs. Dark Matter in Simulations and Observations

This project aims to generate mock X-ray data from the IllustrisTNG simulations and compare it with actual X-ray observations of halo gas fractions. The goal is to identify discrepancies in our theoretical models, which will inform and motivate future model improvements.

Circumgalactic Medium (CGM)Intracluster medium (ICM)Halo gas fractionX-ray observationsGalaxy formation and evolutionCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), X-ray observational data of the halo gas, The particle data of the simulations, programming languages (e.g. python)

Emmanouela Gerakaki Bachelor's project

The impact of the cosmic web and the large scale environment on galaxy evolution

Galaxies are NOT isolated objects whose evolution depends merely on intrinsic physical processes. The aim of this project is to discover the connections between environmental processes and galaxy properties using state-of-the-art cosmological galaxy formation simulations.

Galaxy formation and evolutionLarge scale structure of the UniverseCosmic WebEnvironmental quenchingCosmological simulations

Tools: Cosmological Simulations (IllustrisTNG, L-Galaxies, EAGLE, …), Cosmic web identification algorithms, programming languages (e.g. python)