General and High School

Professor Emeritus of UA Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

Research Expertise:
Space technologies – propulsion and power
Bio-inspired technologies
In-situ resource utilization, or ISRU

Associate Professor, UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Associate Professor, Planetary Sciences

Dr. Pascucci’s research is directed towards understanding the formation and evolution of giant and terrestrial planets in the Solar System and in other planetary systems. She is particularly interested in merging the cosmochemist view of the solar nebula evolution with the astronomical view of protoplanetary disk evolution and planet formation.

Her research activities include studies of exoplanetary architectures, evolution and dispersal of the pre-planetary material around young stars and associated physical mechanisms, and evolution of volatiles (e.g., water) in protoplanetary disks in relation to their delivery to terrestrial planets.

Associate Professor, UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Associate Professor, Planetary Sciences

Dr. Pascucci’s research is directed towards understanding the formation and evolution of giant and terrestrial planets in the Solar System and in other planetary systems. She is particularly interested in merging the cosmochemist view of the solar nebula evolution with the astronomical view of protoplanetary disk evolution and planet formation.

Her research activities include studies of exoplanetary architectures, evolution and dispersal of the pre-planetary material around young stars and associated physical mechanisms, and evolution of volatiles (e.g., water) in protoplanetary disks in relation to their delivery to terrestrial planets.

Astronomer, Steward Observatory
Lecturer, Astronomy
Distinguished Professor, UA University Outreach

Dr. McCarthy has a passion for combining astronomical research and inquiry-based science education. He pioneered techniques for achieving high angular resolution at infrared wavelengths from both ground and space based telescopes by developing new techniques and instrumentation for interferometry, speckle imaging, active tip/tilt correction, and adaptive optics. With these tools, he initiated the direct detection of low mass companions to nearby stars, imaged the near-infrared emission from the Galactic Center source Sgr A*, examined the surface characteristics of asteroids, moons, and Kuiper Belt Objects, and recently detected atmospheric waves on Pluto. Since 1989, his Astronomy Camps have attracted teenage students, educators, schools, and general adults from around the world.

Astronomer, Steward Observatory
Lecturer, Astronomy
Distinguished Professor, UA University Outreach

Dr. McCarthy has a passion for combining astronomical research and inquiry-based science education. He pioneered techniques for achieving high angular resolution at infrared wavelengths from both ground and space based telescopes by developing new techniques and instrumentation for interferometry, speckle imaging, active tip/tilt correction, and adaptive optics. With these tools, he initiated the direct detection of low mass companions to nearby stars, imaged the near-infrared emission from the Galactic Center source Sgr A*, examined the surface characteristics of asteroids, moons, and Kuiper Belt Objects, and recently detected atmospheric waves on Pluto. Since 1989, his Astronomy Camps have attracted teenage students, educators, schools, and general adults from around the world.

Astronomer, Steward Observatory
Lecturer, Astronomy
Distinguished Professor, UA University Outreach

Dr. McCarthy has a passion for combining astronomical research and inquiry-based science education. He pioneered techniques for achieving high angular resolution at infrared wavelengths from both ground and space based telescopes by developing new techniques and instrumentation for interferometry, speckle imaging, active tip/tilt correction, and adaptive optics. With these tools, he initiated the direct detection of low mass companions to nearby stars, imaged the near-infrared emission from the Galactic Center source Sgr A*, examined the surface characteristics of asteroids, moons, and Kuiper Belt Objects, and recently detected atmospheric waves on Pluto. Since 1989, his Astronomy Camps have attracted teenage students, educators, schools, and general adults from around the world.

Astronomer, Steward Observatory
Lecturer, Astronomy
Distinguished Professor, UA University Outreach

Dr. McCarthy has a passion for combining astronomical research and inquiry-based science education. He pioneered techniques for achieving high angular resolution at infrared wavelengths from both ground and space based telescopes by developing new techniques and instrumentation for interferometry, speckle imaging, active tip/tilt correction, and adaptive optics. With these tools, he initiated the direct detection of low mass companions to nearby stars, imaged the near-infrared emission from the Galactic Center source Sgr A*, examined the surface characteristics of asteroids, moons, and Kuiper Belt Objects, and recently detected atmospheric waves on Pluto. Since 1989, his Astronomy Camps have attracted teenage students, educators, schools, and general adults from around the world.