I am a Professor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Astronomy Department at Yale University . My research focuses on galaxy evolution, the central regions of galaxies, the interstellar medium in galaxies, and the environmental effects on galaxies. The central regions of galaxies are particularly interesting because this is where intense starbursts preferentially occur, and where supermassive black holes are located. Much of my research in this area concentrates on star formation and molecular gas in galaxy centers.
Molecular gas is the dominant form of gas in the centers of gas-rich galaxies.
We would like to understand which factors control the rates of gas inflow and star formation. This could tell us how galaxies increase their central concentrations of stars and limit the growth of central black holes. Click here for more on my research on gas in galaxies and galaxy centers . Much of my research concerns the effects of environment on the evolution of galaxies in clusters. Clusters are harsh environments, where galaxies are subjected to various forces which cause them to change.