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Daniel M. Scolnic

Associate Professor of Physics
Physics
120 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27710
120 Science Drive, Box 90305, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Use observational tools to measure the expansion history of the universe.  Trying to answer big questions like 'what is dark energy?'.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Physics · 2023 - Present Physics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering · 2025 - Present Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering

In the News


Published October 13, 2025
Intersecting Perspectives
Published September 26, 2025
Duke Alumna Selected To Be in the 24th NASA Astronaut Class
Published September 2, 2025
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Launches SPACE Initiative

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Recent Publications


The Dark Energy Bedrock All-sky Supernova Program: Cross Calibration, Simulations, and Cosmology Forecasts

Journal Article The Astrophysical Journal · January 1, 2026 Abstract Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) have been essential for probing the nature of dark energy; however, most SN analyses rely on the same low-redshift sample, which may lead to shared ... Full text Cite

Isotropy of Hubble Expansion in the Early and Late Universe

Journal Article Physical Review Letters · December 31, 2025 We test the isotropy of Hubble expansion by combining several probes for the first time, constructing full-sky maps of expansion rate variation using Type Ia supernovae, fundamental plane galaxies, and cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature fluctuat ... Full text Cite

Reassessing the ZTF Volume-limited Type Ia Supernova Sample and Its Implications for Continuous, Dust-dependent Models of Intrinsic Scatter

Journal Article The Astrophysical Journal · December 10, 2025 Abstract The volume-limited low-redshift SNe Ia sample made available by ZTF DR2 is excellent for studying a central question for analyses of SNe Ia—whether the remaining diversity of ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


A Roman Project Infrastructure Team to Support Cosmological Measurements with Type Ia Supernovae

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration · 2023 - 2028

Research in High Energy Physics at Duke University

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Department of Energy · 2013 - 2028

Big Data and the Biggest Tension in Cosmology

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by David & Lucile Packard Foundation · 2019 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Johns Hopkins University · 2013 Ph.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 2007 B.S.