Chris Groppi

Christopher Groppi is an experimental astrophysicist interested in the process of star and planet formation and the evolution and structure of the interstellar medium. His current research focuses on the design and construction of state of the art terahertz receiver systems optimized to detect the light emitted by molecules and atoms in molecular clouds, the birthplace of stars. Development of multi-pixel imaging arrays of terahertz spectrometers is a key technology for the advancement of astrophysics in this wavelength regime. Dr. Groppi is participating in several research efforts to develop advanced terahertz imaging arrays for ground based and suborbital telescopes. He also applies terahertz technology developed for astrophysics to a wide range of other applications including Earth and planetary science remote sensing, hazardous materials detection and applied physics.

Resume:

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Education

  • Ph.D. in Astronomy with minor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Arizona, 2003
  • B.A. with Honor in Astronomy, Cornell University, 1997

Awards and Achievements

  •  SESE Graduate Professor of the Year, 2013-2014
  •  National Science Foundation Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship 2006-2009
  •  Jamieson Astronomy Graduate Award, 2002
  •  Eleanor and Anthony DeFrancis Fellowship, 2002
  •  NASA Graduate Student Research Fellowship 2000-2002
  •  Phi Beta Kappa Society, 1997

Employment

  • Associate Professor, Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration: 2015-present
  • Assistant Professor, Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration: 2009-2015
  • Director, SESE Micromachining Laboratory (Recharge Center): 2009-present
  • National Science Foundation Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow: 2006-2009
  • Assistant Staff Astronomer, Steward Observatory, 2004-2009
  • Director’s Postdoctoral Research Associate, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2003-2005
  • NASA Graduate Student Research Program Fellow, 2000-2002
  • Graduate Research Assistant, University of Arizona, 1997-2003

Our Team

Hamdi Mani
Electrical Engineer; All-knowing wizard

Hamdi Mani has been an engineer at the ASU radio astronomy lab for the past 7 years. His main areas of research: design of wideband cryogenic low noise RF/ Microwave amplifiers and receivers, development of microwave and millimeter wave instrumentation, electronics packaging and cryogenic systems design . Prior to joining ASU, he worked at Caltech/JPL on developing SiGe cryogenic low noise amplifiers and wideband radio astronomy receivers. 

Jeremy Whitton
​PhD Student, Computer Specialist

Jeremy Whitton graduated from Princeton University with an B.A. in physics and a minor in computer science in 2016. While at Princeton, Jeremy focused his research on quantum theory and simulations of the Casimir effect on nano-fluid surfaces, and was even published as a second author. He has since brought his considerable talents in theoretical physics and computer programming to ASU where he is currently working on a PhD in astrophysics and a masters in electrical engineering. 

Genady Pilyavsky
​PhD Candidate; Theoretical Instrumentationalist

Genady Pilyavsky (B.S.'13) received two bachelors of science at his undergrad institution of Penn State (PSU) in both physics and astronomy. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Gena moved to the United States at the age of 11 and has been pursuing his passion of designing exploration systems ever since. Currently working on finishing up a PhD in astrophysics under Dr. Phil Mauskopf and a masters in electrical engineering, Gena focuses his time in the lab on designing and proving concepts of instruments from optical communication to quantum optics. In his spare time, Gena enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and being a tastemaker in the budding fad of microbrewed beers.      

Matt Underhill
Material Science Student, Mechanical Engineer; Machining Specialist

Matthew Underhill (B.S.’12) received a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University, Tempe. He is currently employed at Arizona State University as a department engineer specializing in ultra-high direct manufacturing and mechanical engineering design. His general expertise continues to improve the system processes to enable higher precision and lower error rate within the field of ultra-high direct manufacturing.

Jonathan Hoh
​PhD Student, Design Specialist

Jonathan Hoh (B.A.'16) received his bachelors from the University of Pennsylvania in Physics with a focus in astronomy, with further studies in applied mathematics and the visual fine arts. While researching at UPenn, Jonathan worked as an engineer for the MUSTANG and BLAST cryostats, and found a passion for astronomical instrument design. Jonathan is now at ASU as a PhD student in astrophysics and a masters student in electrical engineering. He also hopes to continue his artistic pursuits as masters of fine arts students in the following years.   

Sam Gordon
​PhD Candidate; FPGA Readout Specialist

Sam Gordon is yet another member of our labs who is working on both a PhD in astrophysics under Dr. Mauskopf and a masters in electrical engineering. Sam graduated from Columbia university in 2012 with a degree in General Studies and soon after began his graduate work at ASU. Since arriving to Groppi Labs, Sam has become the expert on FPGA based detector readouts for superconductor/free-space comms and is an integral member of a number of missions both at ASU and at the U. of Penn in his hometown of Philadelphia.   

Kay Davis
​​PhD Candidate, Terahertz Engineering Specialist

Kay Davis is currently a senior graduate student at ASU working on her PhD in Exploration Systems Design (ESD). Kay's research focus is in the development and characterization of instruments spanning 300 GHz to 5 THz range. She has been a team member of several missions which seek to observe the creation, disruption, and feedback mechanisms from interstellar medium clouds in the Milky Way. Her professional goal is to pursue an academic career in the technology development to make increasingly sensitive and more detailed studies of these regions possible.​ To learn more about Kay and her research, visit her website at kristinadavis.weebly.com

Justin Mathewson
Research Technician

Justin Mathewson received a B.S. degree in Earth & Space Exploration - Exploration Systems Design from Arizona State University, Tempe. He is currently working as a Research lab technician specializing in low noise RF/microwave amplifiers at cryogenic temperatures, Systems design & Electronics packaging at Arizona State University. He is proficient in LabView, SolidWorks and Python.
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Marko Neric
​​PhD Student, Security

Marko Neric (B.S.’14) received a B.S. degree in physics from Arizona State University, Tempe. Born and raised in Arizona, Marko has spent most of his life in the state, apart from a four year tour with the United States Marine Corps. Marko is now on his way to receive his doctorate in astrophysics from ASU along with his masters in electrical engineering. He hopes in the future to pursue a career, either academic or industrial, in the field of microwave circuitry.