Dr. Shelley Wright

Professor

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Biography

Shelley Wright is a Professor in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of California, San Diego. She is an observational experimental astrophysicist with a focus on building optical and infrared instruments and telescopes to study galaxies and supermassive black holes. Her expertise includes designing astronomical instruments that utilize adaptive optics, particularly focusing on techniques using integral field spectrographs. Dr. Wright is a principal investigator at the UC San Diego Optical Infrared Laboratory and is engaged in several projects, including the development of next-generation adaptive optics instruments for the Keck Observatory and the Thirty Meter Telescope. Her current research investigates the formation and evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes over cosmic time using advanced observational techniques. Dr. Wright leads the Optical & Near-IR SETI team, which focuses on developing instruments to search for extraterrestrial intelligence through novel optical and infrared methods. She has played a pivotal role in commissioning new near-infrared SETI instruments at Lick Observatory, aimed at detecting potential ETI signals.

Research Interests

Courses

Physics 9 - Solar Systems Physics 13 - Life Universe Physics 160 - Stellar Astrophysics Physics 164 - Observational Astrophysics Physics 229 - Astronomical Instrumentation

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).