Anjali Tripathi
Scientist
Biography
Dr. Anjali Tripathi is an astrophysicist at the intersection of science and policy. Her research has focused on how planets form within protoplanetary disks and evolve through atmospheric escape, and she has contributed to the development of new astrophysics mission concepts. As NASA’s Exoplanet Science Ambassador, she leads science communication and strategic engagement for NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program. She is also active in research and initiatives for sea level change and climate adaptation. She previously served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the US Department of Agriculture, during the Obama and Trump administrations. Committed to using science to serve society, she has been a science communicator for PBS and the National Academy of Sciences, a Research Associate of the Smithsonian Institution, and co-lead for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s COVID data and epidemiology team.
Education
- PhD & MA, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Harvard University
- MPhil, Astronomy, University of Cambridge
- SB, Physics & Minor in Applied International Studies, MIT
Professional Experience
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2020-present)
- Principal Systems Engineer, RTX
- Project Manager, Timeline Consortium
- Acting Executive Director, National Science and Technology Council
- White House Fellow, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy & US Department of Agriculture
Community Service
- Organizer, Professional Tools and Opportunities (PROTO) Sagan Workshop
- Chair, Marshall Scholarship Selection Committee (LA), UK FCDO
- Co-Lead, COVID-19 Epidemiology and Data Team, LA County Department of Public Health
- Juror, Tribeca Film Festival
- Founder, Harvard Astronomy mentoring program
Research Interests
Planet formation and evolution, Sea level change and coastal adaptation.
Selected Awards
- JPL, Voyager Awards
- LA County Department of Public Health, Public Health Hero & Innovator of the Year
- Her Majesty’s Government, Climate Mitigation Hackathon Winner
- Harvard University, Commencement Marshal & White Prize for Excellence in Teaching Physics
- MIT, Joel Orloff Award & Jeff Roberts Award
- American Red Cross, Spotlight & Candlelight Awards
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
- Marshall Scholarship
Selected Publications
- Hamlington, B.D. and Tripathi, A. et al. “Satellite monitoring for coastal dynamic adaptation policy pathways”, Climate Risk Management, 42, 100555, 2023
- Andrews, S.M., Terrell, M., Tripathi, A., Ansdell, M., Williams, J.P., & Wilner, D.J., “Scaling Relations Associated with Millimeter Continuum Sizes in Protoplanetary Disks”, Ap.J., 865(2), 157, 2018
- Tripathi, A. et al. “The Millimeter Continuum Size-Frequency Relationship in the UZ Tau E Disk”, Ap.J., 861(1), 64, 2018
- Tripathi, A. Andrews, S.M., Birnstiel, T., Wilner, D.J., “A Millimeter Continuum Size–Luminosity Relationship for Protoplanetary Disks”, Ap.J., 845(1), 44, 2017
- Tripathi, A., Kratter, K.M., Murray-Clay, R.A., Krumholz, M.R., “Simulated Photoevaporative Mass Loss from Hot Jupiters in 3D”, Ap.J., 808(2), 173 ( + 811(2), 159 ), 2015
- Tripathi, A. et al., “A Prograde, Low-Inclination Orbit for the Very Hot Jupiter WASP-3b”, Ap.J., 715(1), 421, 2010
- van der Hilst, R.D., et al., “Upper mantle P-wave velocity and gravity anomalies in Southeast Asia and Tibet”, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(36), W. Pac. Geophys. Meet. Suppl., T22B-03, 2006