Dr. Hy Trac

Associate Professor

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Biography

Hy Trac is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University, specializing in astrophysics and cosmology. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Astronomy and Astrophysics in 2004. His research focuses on computational theoretical cosmology, developing and applying numerical simulations to model and interpret observable phenomena. He addresses complex problems involving gas, stars, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies, providing insights into the fundamental nature of dark matter and dark energy. Additionally, Trac explores the dynamics of stellar systems and the mergers of compact objects that produce gravitational waves. He collaborates with computer scientists and statisticians to apply modern artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches to improve multi-wavelength data analysis and numerical simulations. He is a member of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and Simons Observatory Collaborations.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

2016-01-01 — Present

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Assistant Professor

2010-01-01 — 2016-01-01

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

Post-doctoral Research

2007-01-01 — 2010-01-01

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

Post-doctoral Research

2004-01-01 — 2007-01-01

Princeton University • Princeton, NJ

Requirements for Carnegie Mellon University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
GRE General
Verbal
Required:158
Quantitative
Required:149
Analytical Writing
Required:4
Overall
Required:4
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field Research experience/publications
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • GRE scores (optional but reported in profile)
  • English Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
Specialization Notes

Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.