Joshua A. Frieman
Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics; and the College

Education: BS 1981 (Physics) Stanford University; PhD 1985 (Physics) University of Chicago

Phone: (630) 840-2226; (773) 702-7971
Location: Fermilab; ERC 453
Email: friemanfnal.gov
Webpage

Affiliations: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics

Research
Cosmology, large-scale structure, dark energy
Publications: ADS | arXiv | inSPIRE
Frieman's primary research is in theoretical and observational cosmology, especially dark energy, large-scale structure, the early universe, and the interplay between cosmology, particle physics, and astrophysics. Current and recent research projects include: the analysis of the SDSS-II Supernova Survey, which discovered 500 spectroscopically confirmed type Ia supernovae, and which led to improved constraints on dark energy and better understanding of SNe Ia as cosmological distance indicators; analysis and modeling of large-scale structure in galaxy surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey; the use of weak gravitational lensing observations to probe the distribution of mass on galaxy and cluster scales. He currently serves as Director of the Dark Energy Survey, a collaboration of 120 scientist from 3 continents, which is deploying a 570-megapixel camera on the Blanco 4-meter telescope at CTIO to carry out a wide-field servey to probe Dark Energy and the origin of cosmic acceleration. Frieman is a member of the Theoretical Astrophysics group at Fermilab, which has close connections with the cosmologists and theoretical astrophysicists at Chicago.

Member of Research Groups:

Scientific Projects

Past scientific projects: Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)

Graduate Students
Past Graduate Students: James Lasker (2020, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Ross Cawthon (2018, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Jennifer Helsby (2015, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Alan Zablocki (2014, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Felipe Marin (2010, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Carlos E. Cunha (2008, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Dilday Dilday (2003, Physics); Craig Wiegert (2003, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Michael E. Joffre (2000, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Roman Scoccimarro (1996, Astronomy and Astrophysics); Andrew H. Jaffe (1994, Astronomy and Astrophysics)

Teaching Courses
Past courses:
  • [ASTR 18200] The Origin and Evolution of the Universe: 2017 - 2018 (Winter); 2015 - 2016 (Autumn)
  • [ASTR 30400] Galaxies: 2009 - 2010 (Spring)
  • [ASTR 31300] Extragalactic Astronomy: 2006 - 2007 (Spring)
  • [ASTR 32100] Cosmology II: 2012 - 2013 (Spring)
  • [ASTR 34000] Statistical Methods in Astronomy and Astrophysics: 2011 - 2012 (Spring); 2007 - 2008 (Spring); 2005 - 2006 (Winter)
  • [ASTR 41100] Science of the Dark Energy: 2016 - 2017 (Autumn); 2013 - 2014 (Spring); 2010 - 2011 (Autumn)
  • [ASTR 48200] Dark Energy and Cosmic Acceleration: 2008 - 2009 (Spring)

Department Committees
Past Department Committees:
  • Brinson Lectureship: 2017 - 2018
  • Budget and Policy: 2016 - 2017
  • Giant Magellan Telescope - Chicago: 2016 - 2017
  • Appointments and Promotions: 2015 - 2016
  • Search Committee: 2015 - 2016 (Chair)
  • Graduate Committee: 2014 - 2015
  • Adler Planetarium Committee: 2011 - 2012 (Chair)
  • Time Allocation: 2017 - 2018 | 2014 - 2015 | 2013 - 2014 | 2012 - 2013 | 2011 - 2012

Department News & Highlights