Dan Weisz

Associate Professor of Astronomy, University of California, Berkeley
Affiliate Astronomer at Space Sciences Lab

My research focuses on understanding how galaxies form by studying the resolved stellar populations of nearby galaxies. Using observations from facilities like the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, I investigate the formation histories, chemical abundance patterns of galaxies in and around the Local Group to constrain models of galaxy formation, dark matter distribution, and the physics of star formation across cosmic time. I lead several major observational programs, including a comprehensive HST survey of M31’s satellite system, the JWST Early Release Science program on resolved stellar populations, and the J-Virgo Treasury survey of the Virgo Cluster. As Project Scientist for the Ultraviolet Explorer (UVEX) mission, I am developing the next generation of UV surveys that will map millions of local low-mass star-forming galaxies, survey low-metallicity massive stars, provide new insights into the transient sky at UV wavelengths.

HST observations of the Andromeda galaxy showing resolved stellar populations.

About me

I am an Associate Professor in the Astronomy Department at UC Berkeley, where I returned as faculty in 2016 after completing my undergraduate degree here in 2004. I earned my PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Minnesota in 2010, advised by Evan Skillman, and held postdoctoral and Hubble Fellowship positions at the University of Washington and UC Santa Cruz before joining the Berkeley faculty.

You can read more on my biography page or browse my publications.