Prof Graziella Branduardi Raymont

Research summary

More than 40 year experience in multi-wavelength astrophysics, with emphasis on analysis, interpretation and modelling of astrophysical data from space and ground observatories; also a spell in Earth Remote Sensing, developing software to simulate an advanced altimeter for ERS-1. Co-I and management role over more than two decades for the Reflection Grating Spectrometer flying onboard the European Space Agency X-ray Multi-Mirror (XMM-Newton) mission; leader of mission and instrument proposals for the study of X-ray emissions from planetary magnetospheres and auroral phenomena. Co-Principal Investigator for the SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer - http://mssl.ucl.ac.uk/SMILE/) mission, which is under development jointly by the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences and is due for launch in 2024.

Fields of study tackled over the years encompass Galactic and extragalactic research, from X-ray binaries to Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), clusters of galaxies and the X-ray background, and, more recently, stars and solar system bodies. Internationally recognised scientist researching in planetary X-ray emission and high resolution X-ray spectroscopy of the gaseous environment of AGN (warm absorbers). Main interest is X-ray and UV/optical spectroscopy, applied as a powerful diagnostic tool for investigating physical processes acting in a variety of astrophysical settings.

Teaching summary

'An Introduction to X-ray Astronomy', Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain (Ph. D. level, 1986)

'High Energy Astrophysics' (B. Sc. 3rd, 4th year, and M. Sc. level, 1987 - 99)

'Space Exploration' (B. Sc. 1st year, 1991 - 92)

'Space Science, Instrumentation and Techniques' (B. Sc. 2nd year, 1992 - 2007)

'Space Operations And Project Organisation' (M. Sc. level, 2000 - 02)

'Foundations of Astronomy' (B. Sc. 1st year, 2004 - 2006)

'Physics of the Universe (stellar astrophysics)' (B. Sc. 1st year, 2006 - 2008)

'Space Science, Environment and Satellite Missions' (M. Sc. level, 2010 - )

Tutor and Organiser of the Space and Climate Physics Department MSc Programme in 'Space Science and Engineering' (2009 - 2016)

Education

University College London

Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy | 1977

Universita degli Studi di Milano

First Degree, Laurea | 1973

Publications

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