Dr. Jane Rigby

Astronomer Jane Rigby uses telescopes on earth and in space to study how galaxies and black holes have evolved over the history of the universe. She is principal investigator on multiple scientific programs using the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Herschel Space Telescope. She is author of more than 70 scientific papers. Rigby has four years' experience at NASA and four prior years' experience at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

As a communicator of science to the public, Rigby has given talks to large audiences including a TEDxMidAtlantic talk, "Putting Telescopes Into Space".

Creative STEM outreach programs she co-founded have reached over ten thousand participants.

Rigby also actively advocates on issues of diversity and inclusion in science.

Rigby and her wife, Andrea Leistra, live in Maryland with their toddler.

Follow Dr. Rigby on Twitter @janerrigby.