Burcin Mutlu-Pakdil

Professor Burcin Mutlu-Pakdil is an observational astrophysicist who works with large imaging surveys and tailored follow-up observations from large telescopes. Her main science focus is to understand the nature of dark matter and galaxy formation via observations of nearby galaxies. She leads several observational campaigns to discover and characterize dwarf galaxies within the Local Group and beyond. Her works have been featured by CNN, Science Daily, Astronomy Magazine, Gizmodo, Independent, MPR News, among many others. Damon Brown wrote in his regular Inc. Magazine online column: "Many organizations are dedicated to filling the STEM pipeline with more girls and women. Others are supporting the cause by being an example. TED Fellow Burcin is representing by being one of the most notable astrophysicists today. Most recently, she discovered a new galaxy – now called Burcin's galaxy." She has been honored as a 2018 TED Fellow and 2020 TED Senior Fellow, featured in National Geographic as a "woman of impact," named a 2019 AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, and featured in a Science Friday film documentary, "Breakthrough: The Galaxy Hunter," and in the CBS TV Show "Mission Unstoppable".