Dr. Hila Glanz

Before beginning her doctoral studies, Dr. Hila Glanz earned dual bachelor’s degrees in computer science and physics, followed by a master’s degree in Astrophysics. During that time, she also led a research and development (R&D) team of software engineers who developed a widely used large-scale system.

For her PhD in Physics/Astrophysics at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Dr. Glanz developed detailed three-dimensional (3D) simulations that combine the principles of magnetism and fluid flow (magnetohydrodynamics, MHD) to study how stars interact as they evolve. She focused on the Common-Envelope Evolution phase, a short but critical phase in the evolution of stellar systems, in which one star engulfs another. This phase is believed to play a key role in the formation of various systems and transient events. Her work yielded foundational insights that have since been integrated into subsequent theories.

Dr. Glanz’s postdoctoral research in theoretical physics and astrophysics at Caltech moves beyond previous theories that assumed that stars evolve either in isolation or as point masses, and that overlooked the prevalence of systems where two or three stars interact in close vicinity. Dr. Glanz believes that studying stars in isolation overlooks the complex gravitational interactions and mass transfer processes that occur in close multiple-star systems, which can significantly alter their evolutionary pathways. Her research instead centers on the evolution and explosive outcomes of multiple-star systems, with a particular focus on their role in shaping stellar populations and the evolution of their host galaxies.

Using both numerical and analytical methods (which she also makes accessible to the broader scientific community), Dr. Glanz develops theoretical models for understanding stellar evolution. Her work could contribute significantly to our overall comprehension of the universe and offer perspectives on other phenomena that share similar underlying mechanisms, such as planetary migrations and black hole accretion.