Research Interests

Throughout my career, I have focused on understanding the role of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in shaping galaxy evolution — in particular, how the energy released by accreting supermassive black holes can suppress star formation and drive the transformation of actively star-forming galaxies into quiescent systems. This AGN feedback process is thought to be one of the key mechanisms regulating galaxy growth across cosmic time, yet its detailed physical nature remains one of the open questions in extragalactic astronomy.

More recently, I have extended my research to the detection and characterisation of AGN populations at high redshift, probing the early Universe when both black hole accretion and star formation were at their most vigorous. With the advent of JWST, we are now able to identify and study AGN host galaxies at cosmic epochs that were previously inaccessible, offering an entirely new window onto the co-evolution of galaxies and their central black holes.

Observational Expertise

My work draws on a broad range of observational facilities and techniques. I have extensive experience in optical and near-infrared spectroscopy, with a particular focus on integral-field unit (IFU) spectroscopy using instruments such as JWST/NIRSpec, VLT/KMOS, and VLT/SINFONI/ERIS. IFU observations allow us to map the spatial distribution of gas, stars, and outflows within galaxies, going well beyond the integrated picture provided by single-aperture spectroscopy.

I also have substantial experience in far-infrared (FIR) interferometric observations with the ALMA telescope, having led and contributed to multiple successful observing proposals. ALMA provides unique access to the cold molecular gas and dust content of galaxies — the raw fuel for star formation — enabling direct measurements of how AGN activity influences the interstellar medium.

Modelling & Interpretation

Alongside observational work, I have developed significant expertise in the modelling and interpretation of AGN host and star-forming galaxy spectra. This includes both galaxy-integrated and spatially resolved analysis, covering emission line diagnostics, spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting, and kinematic decomposition of complex line profiles tracing outflows and rotation. I routinely compare observational results with predictions from cosmological simulations, in order to place individual measurements in the broader context of galaxy formation theory.