Dr. Ferrarese, FRSC, is an Italian-Canadian astrophysicist whose research focuses on understanding how structure in the universe forms and evolves. She is the author of over 200 peer-reviewed publications that have collectively garnered nearly 30,000 citations. Her discoveries have had a significant impact in both observational and theoretical astronomy, and have lain the foundation for the elucidation of the great outstanding questions in cosmology, from the origins of the first black holes and galaxies, to the nature and distribution of dark matter and energy.
Dr. Ferrarese works as a Principal Research Officer for the National Research Council of Canada, and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Victoria. She is a former President of the Canadian Astronomical Society and former Director of the Gemini International Observatory. She is currently Vice President of the International Astronomical Union.