Rob Coyne

I am a gravitational wave astrophysicist with a particular interest in gamma-ray bursts, the many varied ways they might produce gravitational waves, and how we can go about detecting them. I have been a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration since 2013, and have contributed to a myriad of exciting, cutting-edge research projects. I was a member of the collaboration for the groundbreaking discovery of gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes, an achievement that has been recognized by several prominent awards committees, including the Special Breakthrough Prize, the 2016 Gruber Cosmology prize, and the Bruno Rossi Prize.

I also have a keen interest in physics pedagogy, and have been an active member of physics education research groups both at the George Washington University and Texas Tech, and continue to strive for equitable and inclusive instruction at the University of Rhode Island. I have taught in numerous different formats (from inquiry-based active learning environments, to laboratories, to traditional lectures and workshops) for over a decade. I’m an active proponent of targeted professional development for my fellow scientists, most recently developing and running a targeted workshop on effective communication for the American Astronomical Society.