Smadar Naoz

I am an associate professor at the Department of Physics & Astronomy, UCLA in the Division of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

I am interested in a broad range of topics in theoretical astrophysics with an emphasis on dynamical research problems from cosmology to black holes, Gravitational-wave sources, stars, and extrasolar planets.

My main research subject during my Ph.D. was the first generation of galaxies and 21cm fluctuations. I am also very interested in the theoretical challenges and problems in the dynamics of our solar and extra-solar planetary systems. Most notably I have found a new mechanism that, not only produces Jupiter-like planets in very close proximity to their host star but can also explain the eccentric and even retrograde observed systems. This mechanism, which is based on triple-body interactions, appeared to be dynamically rich and merit further investigation. In recent years, I have studied the underlying physics of triple-body systems and showed that these systems are far more exciting and richer than initially thought of in the past. These new developments are now being applied by the community to a diverse range of astrophysical systems at different scales. For the past few years, I have studied the dynamical evolution of Hot Jupiters. You can read more about my research group here.

Before joining UCLA I was an Einstein Fellow at the ITC - Harvard-Smithsonian CfA. Prior to that, I was an IAU Gruber postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University, CIERA.
I did my Ph.D. studies in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, at the Tel Aviv University. My Ph.D. advisor was Rennan Barkana.
I graduated from the Racah institute at The Hebrew University. My Master advisor was Nir Shaviv.