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Farhad Zadeh

Professor

PhD, Columbia University
Curriculum Vitae

Farhad Yusef-Zadeh (also known as Farhad Zadeh) is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University and a member of CIERA. His research focuses on the physical processes governing the Galactic center, including the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*, cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and star formation in extreme environments. 

Biography
Research Overview
Professional Interests
Selected Research Contributions
Recent Technical Seminars and Talks
Teaching
Science Engagement for the Public
Public Outreach
Research in the News
Selected Publications

Biography: 

Professor Yusef- Zadeh received his PhD in Astronomy from Columbia University after undergraduate studies in Physics and Mathematics at SUNY Stony Brook. He conducted postdoctoral research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center as a National Research Council fellow before joining Northwestern University in 1989, where he has been a professor since 1996. 

Research Overview: 

Professor Yusef-Zadeh investigates the energetic environment of the Milky Way’s nucleus using radio, infrared, and Xray observations. His work addresses how black holes, massive stars, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays interact to shape the Galactic center. He has led extensive observational campaigns with major facilities including the VLA, ALMA, James Web Space Telescope (JWST), MeerKAT, Chandra, and the Hubble Space Telescope. 

Professional Interests:

  • Cosmic Rays and Magnetic Fields in the Nucleus of the Galaxy 
  • The Galactic Center Supermassive Black Hole 
  • Megamaser Accretion Disks 
  • Star Formation under Extreme Tidal Conditions 
  • Interacting Supernova Remnants 

Selected Research Contributions: 

  • Excess cosmicray flux in the Galactic center and its impact on the nuclear interstellar medium. 
  • Discovery and characterization of nonthermal, magnetized radio filaments in the Galactic center.  
  • Radio and submillimeter variability of Sagittarius A*, interpreted through adiabatic expansion (“plasmon”) models.  
  • Multiwavelength monitoring of flaring activity from Sagittarius A*, constraining particle acceleration and accretion processes near the event horizon.  
  • JWST and HST studies of nearinfrared flares from Sagittarius A* and their connection to highenergy emission.  
  • Shock models of supernovaremnant masers 
  • Star formation in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), including the Circumnuclear Disk (CND) and the clockwise disk of WR/OB stars orbiting Sagittarius A*  

Recent Technical Seminars and Talks:

  • Feb 13, 2025 — Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration Meeting (online talk)
  • Feb 26, 2025 — University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
  • Feb 28, 2025 — University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
  • Mar 21, 2025 — National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville, VA, USA
  • Mar 28, 2025 — University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC), IL, USA
  • Apr 4, 2025 — Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Apr 11, 2025 — Physics Colloquium, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
  • Apr 17, 2025 — Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), Toronto, Canada
  • May 12, 2025 — University of Montpellier, France
  • May 15, 2025 — ICAP Seminar, Institute d’Astrophysique de Paris, France
  • May 16, 2025 — Paris Observatory, Paris, France
  • Jun 2, 2025 — University of Cologne, Germany
  • Jul 9, 2025 — Midwest Magnetic Field Workshop, University of Wisconsin–Madison, WI, USA
  • Jul 11, 2025 — University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, WI, USA
  • Jul 21, 2025 — ICRC 2025, 39th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Sep 11, 2025 — Magnetic Fields & Cosmic Rays Across Diverse Scales, Cambridge, MA, USA
  • Sep 18, 2025 — University of Innsbruck, Austria
  • Dec 1, 2025 — JCLab, Paris, France
  • Dec 3, 2025 — CEA Saclay–Paris, France
  • Feb 6, 2026 — Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
  • Feb 12, 2026 — Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
  • Feb 20, 2026 — University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
  • Mar 9, 2026 — Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
  • Mar 16, 2026 — Meudon Observatory, Paris, France

Teaching:

Professor Yusef‑Zadeh teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in astronomy and astrophysics. Descriptions of three recent courses are provided below.

A Brief Journey Through the Invisible Universe (ASTRON 106)

This course explores astrophysical phenomena beyond visible light, with an emphasis on radio and X‑ray astronomy. Using minimal mathematics, the course introduces students to the history of multi‑wavelength astronomy, how modern telescopes work, and what these observations reveal about planets, galaxies, dark matter, pulsars, black holes, cosmology, and the search for life. The class combines readings, lectures, discussions, and online exams to provide a broad, engaging view of the invisible universe.

Basics of Radio Astronomy (ASTRON 305/405)

This course introduces the principles and techniques of radio astronomy, focusing on how radio telescopes and interferometers probe the invisible universe. Topics include antenna theory, interferometry, emission mechanisms, and major discoveries such as pulsars, quasars, the cosmic microwave background, and organic molecules in space. Emphasis is placed on the unique strengths of radio observations—low noise and phase preservation—and their broad applications across astrophysics. The course also covers the historical development and core physical principles underlying radio astrophysics.

Imaging in Astronomy (ASTRON 130)

This course for non‑majors introduces astronomy through the analysis of real astronomical images across multiple wavelengths. Using examples drawn from current research, students learn how imaging reveals the physical processes governing celestial objects. Weekly web‑based assignments guide students through image‑based investigations of topics such as planets, stars, supernovae, black holes, star‑forming regions, and the structure of the Milky Way, providing a hands‑on approach to understanding the universe.

Science Engagement for the Public:

Public Outreach

Professor Yusef-Zadeh has organized an outreach program of public lectures featuring a wide range of engaging topics designed to appeal to students and the general public. These talks explore the intersections of physics, astronomy, history, and culture, and are presented by distinguished scholars and scientists. The lectures were recorded and are available for viewing on the Northwestern University Department of Physics and Astronomy website. Lecture topics include:

The topics of these lectures are as follows:

Research in the News

From 2024 through early 2026, Farhad Yusef‑Zadeh’s work received broad international media attention, particularly for:

  • JWST discoveries of persistent NIR flaring in Sagittarius A*
  • Interpretation of Galactic‑center radio filaments as signatures of past black‑hole activity

Coverage spans peer‑reviewed press releases, popular science magazines, international news, and specialist astronomy outlets, reflecting sustained public and scientific interest.

Media Coverage

Selected Publications

To view publications, click here