Dr. Daniel Kasen

Associate Professor

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Biography

Daniel Kasen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Astronomy and the Physics Department at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his Bachelor of Science from Stanford University and both his Master’s and Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley. Before returning to Berkeley, he was an Alan C. Davis fellow at Johns Hopkins University and a Hubble fellow at UC Santa Cruz. Since joining the Berkeley astronomy faculty in 2010, he has been jointly appointed in the Physics Department within the Nuclear Science Division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). His research focuses on theoretical and computational astrophysics, emphasizing supernovae and neutron star mergers as well as energetic transients. He utilizes multi-dimensional supercomputer simulations to study astronomical explosions and their applicability as probes of cosmology and fundamental physics. In addition, he has a keen interest in radiation transport across a range of astrophysical environments.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.