Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known - Prof. Dr. Carl Sagan

Planetary Scientist

Minjae G. KIM *

I am a planetary scientist, ERC Research Fellow, and ESA project lead at University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory, focusing on the formation and evolution of planetary systems. I completed my Ph.D. degree (Dr. rer. nat. with magna cum laude) in Astrophysics at Kiel University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Sebastian Wolf, studying the observational appearance of debris disks, and earned my Master of Science in Physics and Astronomy from Heidelberg University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Andreas Quirrenbach and Prof. Dr. José A.  Caballero. My research interests include star and planet formation processes, protoplanetary and debris disk characterisation, cometary dust analysis at micro- to nanometer scales, and the detection of exoplanets around M-dwarf stars. I use computational techniques such as radiative transfer simulations, SPH modeling, and machine learning algorithms to investigate the chemical and dynamical evolution of planetary systems and their implications for habitability. 

I am really fortunate to contribute to several international research projects as part of collaborative teams working to advance our understanding of planetary system science. Currently working in the planet formation group led by Prof. Dr. Paola Pinilla, I coordinate the JWST ALMA AGE-Pro program studying embedded icy protoplanetary disks in the Ophiuchus region, and serve as ESA Rosetta/MIDAS Project Lead investigating nano to micrometer sized cometary dust particles. I also participate in the JWST Early Release Science Program for direct exoplanet observations and the JDISC program, and have been a member of the CARMENES consortium for M-dwarf exoplanet detection. Additionally, I have contributed to debris disk studies using Herschel Space Observatory data, combining Herschel/PACS and Spitzer/MIPS photometry to characterise disk and dust properties in circumstellar environments.

Beyond research and study, I am also interested in science communication and international collaboration. I contribute as a scientific reporter and columnist for The Science Times (so far only in Korean though) and have written monthly columns for science magazines since 2017, while frequently providing commentary to media outlets including BBC, BBC Science Focus, and Forbes. I have been grateful to receive recognition for these outreach efforts, including awards from the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korean Federation of Science & Technology Societies. Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to help organise conferences including various Europlanet Science Congress and EU-Korea Science and Technology meetings. I also enjoy mentoring students through the Europlanet Programme and supervising graduate and undergraduate research projects.

Outside of science, I am passionate about outdoor sports, particularly bouldering and climbing, which help me maintain perspective and balance. Most importantly, I am extremely proud to be a father to my child and husband to my wonderful wife, who remind me daily of what truly matters in life.

* I go by Min