Philippov, Alexander (Sasha)
Physics
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, 2017
- M.S., Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, 2014
- M.S., Applied Physics and Mathematics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 2012
- B.S., Applied Physics and Mathematics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 2010
BACKGROUND
Sasha Philippov graduated with a M.S. in "applied physics and mathematics" with highest honors from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology in 2012, and received his Ph.D. in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University in 2017. He works on the theory and modeling of plasmas around black holes and neutron stars.
Awards
- APS Thomas H. Stix Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to Plasma Physics Research, 2024
- Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, 2024
- Packard Fellow for Science and Engineering, 2024
Recent focus of Philippov's research group has been on: (i) developing models of coherent radio emission produced during pair production lightnings and relativistic magnetic reconnection occurring in magnetospheres of neutron stars, in application to rotation-powered pulsars and Fast Radio Bursts; (ii) understanding mechanisms of producing electromagnetic flares in accretion flows around supermassive black holes and magnetospheres of merging neutron stars and magnetars; (iii) exploring the role of kinetic plasma effects in shaping the dynamics and observational appearance of accreting plasmas around black holes in M87 and Milky Way; (iv) investigating electron and proton acceleration in radiative plasma turbulence occurring in the magnetized coronae of black holes. These ongoing efforts contribute to interpreting the observed signatures of black holes and neutron stars using first-principles physics.