Research themes
Star formation in the early Universe
We are involved in several programs (e.g. EIGER, FRESCO, ALT, JELS) to exploit the infrared capabilities of the JWST to identify young galaxies in the early Universe through emission lines. Among other purposes, these data are used to investigate the evolution of the cosmic star formation rate in the first ~3 Gyr of cosmic time.
The sources of cosmic reionization
We aim to self-consistently study the role of galaxies in cosmic reionization By measuring the total ionising budget from young galaxies, and tracing the topology and timing of cosmic reionization using galaxy and quasar observations. In addition to JWST data, this project also uses ground-based observations of the Lyman-alpha emission line which traces when and by how much galaxies leak ionizing photons.
The metal-enrichment process in and around early galaxies
A key question is how the diversity of heavy elements originated. Our group aims to study the chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium from the illusive first generation PopIII stars to present day abundances, and to study the enrichment of the circumgalactic medium around galaxies as a tracer of various processes involved in galaxy formation.
The emergence of super massive black holes
One of the main puzzles in galaxy formation is the presence of super massive black holes in the center of virtually every massive galaxy, and what their role is in determining the faith of galaxies. Our group aims to find and study luminous and faint quasars in the early Universe, powered by accretion on such massive black holes, in order to understand how super massive black holes form, evolve and how they impact the gas within and on scales far beyond their host galaxies.