Lars Hernquist stands as a preeminent theoretical astrophysicist whose pioneering computational work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of cosmic structure formation and galaxy evolution. He currently holds the distinguished position of Mallinckrodt Professor of Astrophysics at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, a role he has occupied since 2009 following his tenure at the University of California Santa Cruz from 1990 to 1998. Born in Princeton in 1954 to Swedish immigrant parents, Hernquist earned his B.A. in physics from Cornell University in 1977, pursued an M.A. at Harvard University, and completed his Ph.D. at the California Institute of Technology in 1985 under Roger Blandford with a dissertation on the thermal and magnetic properties of neutron stars. His career trajectory from early investigations of compact objects to leadership in large-scale cosmological simulations exemplifies his profound impact on theoretical astrophysics.
Hernquist's most influential contribution is the seminal Hernquist Profile, an analytic expression for dark matter distribution in galaxies that has become a cornerstone of modern cosmological modeling. As a world authority on galaxy merger simulations, he has demonstrated how these cosmic collisions drive galaxy evolution, explaining the formation of elliptical galaxies and the fueling of supermassive black holes that power quasars. His leadership in the Illustris and IllustrisTNG projects has produced some of the most sophisticated cosmological simulations to date, incorporating complex physics of star formation and active galactic nucleus feedback across cosmic time. These computational frameworks have transformed theoretical cosmology into a predictive science, enabling researchers to test fundamental theories about the universe's structure and evolution with unprecedented precision while revealing the intricate cosmic web that connects galaxies across the universe.
In 2020, Hernquist received the prestigious Gruber Prize in Cosmology jointly with Volker Springel for making computer simulations an indispensable tool that allows cosmologists to test theories and identify promising research directions. His exceptional scholarly impact is evidenced by his recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher across multiple consecutive years and his election to both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. Leading an active research group at Harvard, Hernquist continues to mentor the next generation of astrophysicists while advancing high-resolution simulations of multiphase gas in the circumgalactic medium. His ongoing work with projects like MillenniumTNG promises to further illuminate the complex processes governing galaxy formation, ensuring his continued influence on the theoretical foundations of modern astrophysics.
