Sheila Kannappan
, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Research Focus
Research Interests
About Sheila
My career has mixed diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI) and education/public outreach (EPO) work — first through Teach For America 1991-1993, then at the department/university level as an astrophysicist — with galaxy survey science since ~1997. I am excited about connecting large-scale structure to its smallest components: dwarf galaxies/dwarf AGN, small groups/proto-groups, and compact stellar systems. My approach mixes gastrophysics, dynamics, and data science (including observations as well as simulation mock catalogs). My DEI and EPO work has also used data science as a vehicle for inclusion of underserved groups. Recently I have begun doing more science writing and outreach focused on awe and preservation of planet Earth.
Honors
2016 - UNC University Award for the Advancement of Women
2010 - NSF Career Award
Education
Postdoc
Harlan Smith Fellow/NSF AAPF Fellow, The University of Texas at Austin, 09/2001 - 06/2007
Ph.D.
Physics (Astrophysics), Harvard University, 06/2001
Master's
History of Science, Harvard University, 06/2001
Bachelor's
Physics, Harvard University, 06/1991
