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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


Initial Characterization of Stellar Photometry of Roman Images from the OpenUniverse Simulations

Journal Article The Astronomical Journal · March 2, 2026 Abstract NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman) will provide an opportunity to study dark energy with unprecedented precision and accuracy using several techniques, including ... Full text Cite

WHALES. The Weighing Halos Accurately, Locally, and Efficiently with Supernovae Survey: Overview and Initial Data Release

Journal Article The Astrophysical Journal Letters · February 10, 2026 Abstract We present an overview of the Weighing Halos Accurately, Locally, and Efficiently with Supernovae (WHALES) survey, the first to discover and measure Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia ... Full text Cite

The Complete Sample of Available SNe Ia Luminosity Calibrations from the TRGB Observed with either HST or JWST

Journal Article The Astrophysical Journal · January 20, 2026 Abstract Distance ladders, which calibrate the luminosity of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), currently provide the strongest constraints on the local value 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.