Misty Bentz

Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University

Research Focus

About Misty

As an observational astronomer, my research focuses on supermassive black holes that inhabit the centers of galaxies, especially those that are actively accreting matter (so-called Active Galactic Nuclei). I am particularly interested in accurate black hole mass measurements, studies of the black hole host galaxies, and black hole scaling relationships. I employ a variety of ground-based and space-based observatories to obtain images and spectroscopy, and am particularly well known for mapping the gas flows around black holes on solar system-sized scales using light echoes and time domain techniques.

Honors

2020 - Carl R. Nave Award for Outstanding Teaching, GSU Society of Physics Students

2019 - GSU GSU Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award

2018 - GSU College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Senior Faculty

2014 - GSU College of Arts and Sciences Oustanding Junior Faculty

2013 - GSU College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Early Career Award

2009 - Hubble Fellowship

Education

Postdoc

Hubble Fellow, University of California, Irvine, 09/2009 - 07/2010

University of California, Irvine, 08/2007 - 08/2009

Ph.D.

Astronomy, Ohio State University, 06/2007

Master's

Astronomy, Ohio State University, 03/2005

Bachelor's

Astronomy, University of Washington, 06/2002

University of Washington, 06/2002

Contact Misty

http://www.astro.gsu.edu/~bentz/