09/24/2021
By Joanne Gagnon-Ketchen
Jesus Pando, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, DePaul University will give a talk on "The Multi-Messenger Era, The New Wave in Astrophysics."
Abstract: Astrophysics has entered a new era in which data from multiple sources are needed to construct a more complete picture of the evolving universe. Traditional wavelength-based observations have been extended to include complimentary information carried by not only photons, but also by particles, simulations, and gravitational waves. Combining these complementary data results in an understanding of the dynamics of the universe that exceeds what is possible by any single type of analysis. In this talk, I will present examples of multi-messenger astrophysics and some of the exciting developments that have emerged as a result in this new era. Along the way, I will point out that diverse types of messages and diverse kinds of messengers are needed to advance the field.
Bio: Jesus Pando earned his Ph.D. under Li-Zhi Fang at the University of Arizona. His thesis centered on the development of the wavelet transform for use in the study of large-scale structure. He received the Chateaubriand post-doctoral, followed by an NSF international post-doctoral fellowship to continue his work at the Observatoire de Strasbourg, France. In general, his research focuses on the uncovering of structure from a noisy background. Originally, he focused the formation of large-scale structure formation in the universe, using higher order correlations to uncover the clustering patterns of matter in the universe. Along with continuing to study large-scale structure, he is also now investigating secondary structure detection and prediction in proteins. Pando has long been involved in efforts to increase the number of underrepresented groups in the sciences. He has been a member of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) for 15 years and is a board member of the National Society of Hispanic Physicists. He has served on numerous committees and panels dealing with the issues faced by underrepresented students and professionals in STEM fields. Pando currently serves as the Chair of the Physics Department at DePaul University