Dani R. Lipman

Solving the Mysteries of Galaxy Centers

I am a 6th year Physics PhD Candidate at the University of Connecticut working in the Milky Way Laboratory. I earned my undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa in 2019, having explored research topics related to planetary space physics, ultracool dwarf stars, and thermal gyrosynchrotron emission. In 2019, I was awarded a China Fulbright Research/Study award to study motivations for engaging in science popularization and outreach by professors at Chinese universities in Nanjing, China. In August 2020, I began my PhD in Physics at UConn with a focus in the Milky Way's Central Molecular Zone (CMZ). Since then, I have delved into developing statistical tools to describe the 3-D orbital geometry and evolution of the CMZ.

My current research interests focus on exploring dynamics and 3-D modeling of galaxy centers using both observations and MHD simulations. I am particularly interested in understanding how material may fall off nuclear orbits and inflow closer to circum-nuclear discs near central supermassive black holes.

My main question is: How do dynamics and physical parameters work together to control star formation and galaxy evolution?

Contact me at dani.lipman@uconn.edu