Gurtina Besla is an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona. She is a theoretical astrophysicist who focuses on formation and evolution of low-mass dwarf galaxies, which are the most common class of galaxies in the universe.

She is an expert in the dynamics of the Milky Way, the Andromeda galaxy, the Local Group and the Magellanic Clouds, the closest example of an interacting pair of dwarf galaxies. Besla leads local programs dedicated to supporting students of color who are pursuing degrees in physics and astronomy.

Expertise: Theoretical astrophysics, galaxy formation, dwarf galaxies, the Local Group, Andromeda, dark matter

Phone: (520) 621- 0418

Email: gbesla@email.arizona.edu

Heard on CITA Presentations: