Dr. Claude Carignan

Biography

Claude Carignan has been a professor in the Department of Physics since 1985, specializing in dark matter with a focus on galactic and extragalactic astronomy. Throughout his career, he has engaged with various national organizations such as the Research Centre of the Mont Mégantic Observatory and the Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA). His work has reached international dimensions, contributing to the Office Astronomy Development and the African Astronomical Society. In 2006, he established an astrophysics program at the University of Ouagadougou, drawing inspiration from the program at Université de Montréal, an achievement that earned him the Internationalist Award from CÉRIUM in 2009. Currently, he holds the SKA Chair in Extragalactic Multi-wavelength Astronomy at the University of Cape Town, aiming to promote the construction of one of the world's largest telescopes. His research contributions over the last twenty years elucidate the mass distribution in dwarf galaxies, demonstrating a more substantial dark matter presence (~90%) compared to massive spiral galaxies (~50%). His findings have been instrumental in revealing the distinctive role of dark matter across various galactic structures, proving the necessity of refined observational techniques and simulations in astrophysics.

Research Interests