Dr. Leslie Looney

Biography

Leslie W. Looney is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Illinois. He serves as the Director of the Laboratory for Astronomical Imaging, where his research focuses on the study of protostars and their formation processes. His group investigates the physical characteristics of these celestial bodies, notably the phases through which they evolve over time. Recent studies have looked into circumstellar disks and their roles in the progression toward planetary system formation. This includes analyzing the mechanisms behind light polarization in these disks, which may arise from various alignment processes of dust grains influenced by magnetic fields. His research typically employs advanced observational techniques using instruments such as ALMA, JWST, and VLA to explore stellar nurseries and their embedded structures. Professor Looney has mentored multiple graduate students over the years, contributing to the academic community through his teaching and research endeavors.

Research Interests