WI Seminar- Chris Fryer
Event starts on this day
Sep
15
2026
Featured Speaker(s):
Chris Fryer
Event starts on this day
Sep
15
2026
Title: Fundamental physics studies in time domain and multi-messenger astronomy
Abstract
The era of time domain and multi-messenger astronomy is not only leading to the development of a much broader set of detectors and instruments for astrophysical observations, but is also providing the means for astronomy to tie directly to cutting-edge studies in physics. In this manner, fundamental physics (theory and experiment) coupled with a strong theoretical understanding of astrophysical phenomena (guided by high-performance computing simulations) can tie directly to the amazing new observations in astronomy. Here we discuss how physics, astrophysical models, and observations can not only help astronomy probe fundamental physics but guide the needs for next-generation astrophysical missions.
Bio: Chris Fryer got his B.A. in Mathematics and Astrophysics at UC Berkeley in 1992 and PhD in Astronomy at the University of Arizona in 1996. After a post-doctoral fellowship at UC Santa Cruz, he joined Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2000, first as a Feynman Fellow and then as a staff scientist. His work encompasses a broad range of LANL programs and academic studies, but he has primary focused on modeling laboratory radiation-flow experiments and astrophysical transients (including studies of the progenitors, engines and observational properties). For his work in these fields, he was named a fellow of LANL, the APS, and AAAS. He has also received the E.O Lawrence, Marcel Grossman and APS Hans Bethe awards.