Dr. Jonas Zmuidzinas

Biography

Jonas Zmuidzinas is the Merle Kingsley Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He received his B.S. from Caltech in 1981 and completed his Ph.D. at the University of California in 1987. Zmuidzinas held the position of Assistant Professor at Caltech from 1989 to 1995, became an Associate Professor in 1995, and was promoted to Professor in 2000. He has served as the Kingsley Professor since 2010. In addition, he worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as a Senior Research Scientist from 2005 to 2011, Chief Technologist from 2011 to 2016, and Director of the Micro-Devices Laboratory from 2007 to 2011. He was also the Director of Caltech Optical Observatories from 2018 to 2023. Zmuidzinas specializes in submillimeter astronomy and instrumentation, focusing on the intersection of astronomy, engineering, and physics. His research primarily revolves around solving astronomical problems that require innovative technical solutions, particularly in the submillimeter band. He has been involved in various projects, including the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and the development of the CCAT telescope in Chile, alongside advancements in superconducting detector technology. He actively mentors students from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing craftsmanship in instrumentation and their applications in astronomy.

Research Interests

Experience