Katie Mack named a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar
Katherine (Katie) Mack has been named a 2022-2024 CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar. Mack, who recently joined Perimeter as the inaugural Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication, is a theoretical cosmologist and a prolific public science communicator.
The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program enables early-career scientists to deepen their research, expand their networks, and strengthen their leadership and communication skills. Scholars receive $100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support, as well as mentorship and opportunities to collaborate with top researchers from a variety of disciplines, for a two-year term. The program is highly competitive; this cohort of 18 was selected from more than 200 eligible applicants spanning 32 countries around the world.
Mack’s research explores the physics of the universe from beginning to end, including topics such as dark matter, vacuum decay, black holes, and the formation of the first galaxies.
Alongside her research, Mack communicates science to broad audiences across a range of media. She released her first book, The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking), in 2020; has written for major publications like Scientific American and Slate; and has amassed a following of more than 400,000 on Twitter as @AstroKatie.
“I am deeply honoured to become a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar just as I’m joining Perimeter this summer. The most important questions in cosmology right now are the ones that require a creative, interdisciplinary approach, and I look forward to engaging with CIFAR’s network of scientists to tackle these and other exciting challenges across the sciences,” says Mack.
“Katie is an excellent researcher and a gifted science communicator who builds bridges between scientists and the wider world. We are so pleased to see her named a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar and excited to watch the next chapter of her career unfold at Perimeter,” says Robert Myers, Perimeter’s Director and BMO Financial Group Isaac Newton Chair.
The previous 2020-22 cohort of CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars included Perimeter Associate Faculty member Christine Muschik.
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About PI
Perimeter Institute is the world’s largest research hub devoted to theoretical physics. The independent Institute was founded in 1999 to foster breakthroughs in the fundamental understanding of our universe, from the smallest particles to the entire cosmos. Research at Perimeter is motivated by the understanding that fundamental science advances human knowledge and catalyzes innovation, and that today’s theoretical physics is tomorrow’s technology. Located in the Region of Waterloo, the not-for-profit Institute is a unique public-private endeavour, including the Governments of Ontario and Canada, that enables cutting-edge research, trains the next generation of scientific pioneers, and shares the power of physics through award-winning educational outreach and public engagement.
