Gonville & Caius College Fellow Dr Mor Rozner is an astrophysicist who focuses on stellar and planetary dynamics.

Mor works on dynamics from planet formation to gravitational waves, making calculations as a theoretician. Dynamics is the quest for understanding the movement and interactions of objects, such as stars, planets, black holes and even cluster, and deriving the physical laws that govern them.

“I’m interested in dynamics in gas-rich environments,” she says. “I do use some numerical simulations, but most are purely analytical. I’m driven by observations.

“Usually I come up with some models which try to expand or predict phenomena, rather than actual data. I work using pen and paper.”

Mor joined Caius and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy in October 2024. A move to Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study is near, with Mor due to spend the next two years in New Jersey. One of the advantages of the Research Fellowship at Caius is that early academics can pursue opportunities and return to Cambridge at a later date.

Mor has enjoyed the College community, but particularly being part of the academic environment at the Institute of Astronomy.

She adds: “I do find college life to be quite different and unique. I couldn’t find anything like this anywhere else in the world. I’m privileged to have that.

“I love the IoA, academically and in general. The environment and community there is just great. I’ve learnt so much in just one year. I feel I’ve grown from a PhD student to an actual scientist.”