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Chris Power

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Chris Power

Professor

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4003-0904

  • The University of Western Australia (M468), 35 Stirling Highway,

    6009 Perth

    Australia

Personal profile

Biography

I am a computational astrophysicist who works on a range of problems in dark matter and galaxy formation using large-scale supercomputers. I have been based at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research at the University of Western Australia since 2011, during which time I've been a Research Assistant Professor (2011-2013), Australian Research Council Future Fellow (2014-2017), and a Research Associate Professor (2018-present).

Teaching overview

I have taught courses at advanced undergraduate and Master's level on "Astrophysical Fluids and Shocks" and "High Energy Astrophysics". Currently I teach the "Astrophysical Cosmology" part of "Cosmological Physics" (PHYS4418), as well as acting as guest lecturer on astrophysical modelling for the "Scientific High Perfomance Computing" course (SHPC4001). 

Roles and responsibilities

I lead the Cosmological Theory group at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, which is the largest of its kind in Australia. Currently it comprises 25 ongoing staff, early career researchers, and PhD students, with a breadth of expertise in galaxy formation modelling and scientific high performance computing. Nationally, I am a Chief Investigator of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D) and I lead the Genesis Simulations thread, a team of order 30 researchers around Australia.

Community engagement

Currently, I am a member of the Astronomy Australia Limited’s Science Advisory Committee and chair of its HPC working group. We advise on access to research facilities, investment of federal funding, and implementation of the astronomical community’s Decadal Plan. Given my expertise in HPC and data-intensive science, I have been involved in the Astronomy Data and Computing Services (ADACS) initiative, review of the All-Sky Virtual Observatory (ASVO), and expansion of access to HPC and cloud computing time on the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI).

Previous positions

I obtained my PhD in Theoretical Astrophysics in 2003 from Durham University in the UK, where I worked on the topic of "The Internal Structure of Lambda Cold Dark Matter Halos" under the supervision of Prof Carlos Frenk. Subsequently I had postdocs at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia (2004-2007) and in the Theoretical Astrophysics Group at the University of Leicester in the UK (2008-2011).

Education/Academic qualification

Theoretical Astrophysics, PhD, The Inner Structure of Lambda Cold Dark Matter Halos, Durham University

Award Date: 31 Jan 2004

Research expertise keywords

  • Astronomy
  • Dark matter, galaxy formation and cosmology—theory
  • Galaxies—super-massive black holes and globular clusters
  • Supercomputer simulations and modelling

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

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