Richard McDermid

Chief Investigator & Node Leader

Macquarie University

Biography

I am Professor of Astronomy in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at Macquarie University, located in Sydney, Australia. My research interests include galaxy formation and evolution, with particular interest in galaxy dynamics, stellar populations, and supermassive black holes. I also help develop instrumentation for astronomy, and am currently Project Scientist for "MAVIS" - a new instrument for ESO's VLT observatory in Chile. I am Director of the Macquarie University Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre - a concentration of research excellence within the University spanning astronomy, instrumentation, data science, and associated outreach activities. I lead the Macquarie node of the ASTRO 3D Centre of Excellence - a nationally-funded network of Australian Universities and international partner organisations aimed at understanding galaxy evolution. I am also on the Board of Directors for the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance - a not-for-profit charity advocating for responsible lighting practices in Australasia.