Stephen Taylor

Co PI

I am an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Vanderbilt University. My research has stretched across the gravitational-wave spectrum, but I am particularly focused on the low-frequency regime where ensembles of millisecond pulsars are monitored like cosmic clocks to detect timing deflections caused by nanohertz-frequency gravitational waves. One of these “Pulsar Timing Arrays” is called NANOGrav, within which I co-chair the detection working group.

Our expected target is gravitational-wave emission from binary systems of the most massive black holes in the universe, at mass scales that are approximately ten million to a billion greater than ground-based detectors like LIGO are sensitive to. Within this field, I develop statistical techniques and inference strategies designed to tease out the astrophysical nuances of the gravitational-wave signals. I am excited about EMIT because of the tremendous opportunity to infuse this new field of multi-messenger astrophysics with principles of respect and inclusion, leading to better science all around. When not finding new ways to search for gravitational waves, I like to hike, read, cook, spend time with my wife, and act as a loyal employee of my cat, Olive.