Curriculum Vitae

Andrej Prsa

Prof. Dr Andrej Prša

(pronounced AWN-dray PUR-shuh)

Villanova University
Department of Astrophysics and Planetary Science
Mendel Science Center, M458c
800 Lancaster Ave
Villanova PA 19085
USA

Contact: aprsa@villanova.edu
Office: +1-610-519-4822, Fax: +1-610-519-6132

Education
Year Institution Program Title
2006-08Villanova University, USAAstrophysics and Planetary SciencePostdoctoral fellow
2005University of Ljubljana, SloveniaAstrophysics and Particle PhysicsDoctorate (PhD)
2001University of Ljubljana, SloveniaAstronomy and AstrophysicsBachelor of Science (BSc)
Employment history
Year Institution Department Position
2020-Villanova University, USAAstrophysics and Planetary ScienceProfessor
2015-20Villanova University, USAAstrophysics and Planetary ScienceAssociate professor
2012-15Villanova University, USAAstrophysics and Planetary ScienceAssistant professor
2009-12Villanova University, USAAstrophysics and Planetary ScienceResearch assistant professor
2008-09Villanova University, USAAstrophysics and Planetary ScienceResearch associate
2006-University of Ljubljana, SloveniaPhysics and AstronomyAdjunct research associate
2001-06University of Ljubljana, SloveniaPhysics and AstronomyTeaching assistant
Special credentials and skills
Skill Level
Linux operating systemproficient
Programming in C/C++, python, and Rproficient
Parallel programing using MPI and openMPproficient
High Performance Computing Cluster deployment and maintenanceproficient
Database management in sqlite/mysql/postgresqlproficient
Dynamical web portal management using Django and LAMPproficient
Complex, multi-dimensional, multi-faceted data analysisproficient
Data analysis techniques in econometricsproficient
Appointments and memberships
Year Organization Appointment
2023-Large Survey of Space and Time, Eclipsing and Ellipsoidal Binary Working GroupChair
2022-24-Villanova Rank and Tenure CommitteeMember
2021-24International Astronomical Union, Division G: Stars and Stellar SystemsPresident
2018-21International Astronomical Union, Division G: Stars and Stellar SystemsVice-President
2017-Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, Eclipsing Binary Working GroupChair
2015-18International Astronomical Union, Commission on Binary and Multiple StarsPresident
2015-ESA Gaia Mission, Coordination Unit 7Member
2014-21Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Interacting Binaries Working GroupCo-chair
2014-15Villanova University, Task Force on SupercomputingMember
2010-15NASA, Kepler mission, Eclipsing Binary Working GroupChair
2009-International Astronomical UnionFull member
2009-Board of Editors of the International Bulletin on Variable StarsEditor
2009Conference "Binaries: Key to Comprehension of the Universe", Brno, CZSOC Chair
2006-International Astronomical UnionFull member
2006-American Astronomical SocietyFull member
2002-ESA Gaia Mission, Coordination Unit 6Associate member
Awards and Honors
Year Institution Award
2018Villanova UniversityVeritas Award for Outstanding Scholarship
2013Jeremiah Horrocks InstituteDistinguished Visitor Award
2005University of LjubljanaPhD promotion by the Prime Minister of Slovenia
2001University of LjubljanaPrešeren prize for Outstanding Bachelor's Thesis
Grants and Fellowships
Year Agency Program Title Role Award
2024VITAL/VPTLMitigating student hardship by reimagining Astronomy labsPI$10,000
2023NASA ADAPSolving 150,000+ Eclipsing Binary Light Curves With An AI-Powered ModelPI$489,110
2023NSFPeanuts in Space: solving the thermodynamical conundrum in contact binary starsPI$597,089
2023GRASPOvercoming computational bottlenecks with artificial intelligencePI$25,000
2022Rubin/LSSTFinding M&Ms with Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and TimePI$20,000
2021-22NASA TESSSeeing Double: An Extensive Study Of TESS Eclipsing BinariesPI$250,000
2021VU-USGThermodynamical Processes in Contact Binary StarsPI$10,000
2020-21NASA TESSEclipsing binary stars: indispensable astrophysical labsPI$50,000
2019-21NSF AAGA Study of Stellar Pulsations in Eclipsing Binary StarsPI$386,444
2018-19NASA K2GOOn the shoulders of giants: calibrating asteroseismic scaling relations with eclipsing binary starsPI$30,000
2018VU-USGRigorous testing of asteroseismic scaling relations using eclipsing binary starsPI$10,000
2018-19NASA ADAPSub-1% accuracy in fundamental stellar parameters from triply eclipsing systemsPI$449,331
2016-17NSF AAG1% accuracy in fundamental stellar parameters? Not without an extensive redesign of eclipsing binary modelsPI$300,000
2016-17NSF AAGCollaborative Research: A uniform sample of Kepler eclipsing binaries as benchmark stars to constrain stellar models and evolution at the bottom of the main sequencePI$170,000
2015-16NASA GOEclipsing Binary Stars: Indispensable Astrophysical Laboratories for Studying Stellar PopulationsPI$30,000
2015VU-SRFSRF: Incorporating Multiple Star Physics into the Eclipsing Binary Modeling SuitePI$10,000
2014DunhamUnprecedented accuracy in stellar masses and radii from triple and multiple stars observed by the Kepler satellitePI$4,000
2012-14NASA ADAPTowards a Fundamental Understanding of Short Period Eclipsing Binary Systems using Kepler DataPI$292,122
2011-13NASA PSPThorough Understanding of Foreground and Background Eclipsing Binary Star Populations Observed by KeplerPI$105,278
2010-11SETIModeling and Analysis of Eclipsing Binary Stars Observed by KeplerPI$143,400
2010VITALMastering Physics for EngineersPI$2,000
2010NASA GOUltra-High Precision Photometry of Overcontact Binary Stars: Fundamental Properties and EvolutionPI$65,562
2009HSTEclipsing Binaries in the Local Group: III – Unprecedented Accuracy in Distance Determination to M33 and Calibration of the Cosmic Distance ScaleCo-I$60,803
2008-10NASAModels for Binary Star/Transit Light CurvesPI$150,000
2008HSTThe Key to Understanding RR Lyr Stars: WFPC2 Observations of a Unique LMC EB with a RR Lyr ComponentCo-I$53,107
2006-08NSFEclipsing Binaries and Variable Stars in the Local Group: Maximizing Return with an Intelligent Data PipelinepostdocFellowship
2001-05ARRSYoung Researcher in Physics at University of LjubljanagradFellowship
1996-2001ZRSSSZois ScholarshipundergradFellowship
Observing Runs
Year Facility Observing Program Title Role Award
2014-15NOAO/KPNOStudying low-mass short-period binary companions to stars across the main sequenceCo-I26 nights
2011-13NOAO/KPNOTowards Unprecedented Accuracy of Fundamental Parameters for Kepler Eclipsing Binary StarsPI30 nights
2011NOAO/GeminiHigh-Intermediate Resolution IR Spectroscopy of NSV 10993: A Confirmed Cepheid Member of an Eclipsing Binary SystemCo-PI8 nights
2010NOAO/KPNOFollow-up Spectroscopy of Prime W-UMa Type Binary Stars Observed by KeplerPI5 nights
2009NOAO/KPNOThis is For the BiRDS: Binary Science with EXPERT/ETCo-I8 nights
Metrics (November 2023)
h-index 60 the largest number h such that h publications have at least h citations
m-index 2.6 h-index divided by the number of years since first publication
g-index 164 the number g such that g most cited publications have a total of g2 citations
i10-index 108 number of papers with at least 10 citations
i100-index 40 number of papers with at least 100 citations
publications 276 number of refereed and non-refereed papers published
citations 36,600 number of citations
publication impact 133 average number of citations per paper