Andrei Ristea | Astrophysicist

Publications

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Understanding the fundaments of our Universe

How fast is the Universe expanding? What will be its fate? Are the Universe’s fundamental constants the same everywhere? Can we improve the limits to which we detect exoplanets? To answer these questions using the world’s largest telescopes, I am developing new methods that harness the full power of laser-frequency combs, the world’s most accurate calibrators of astronomical spectra.

Explore research
A deep, wide-field image of the Universe with galaxies, nebulae, and stars in a realistic, professional astrophysics style, suitable as a hero image for an astrophysicist's website. No text, no people, just the cosmos.
A sweeping, ultra-high-resolution view of the Milky Way arching over a modern observatory dome on a remote mountaintop, rendered in clean photographic realism. The sky is filled with densely packed stars, faint nebulae, and a clear galactic core, captured with long-exposure clarity. The observatory dome, made of smooth white composite panels with subtle seams, sits on a low, angular concrete base surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation. Cool twilight blends into deep night, with a faint horizon glow. Soft, cool starlight and minimal red safety lights on the building provide illumination, casting delicate shadows. Shot from a low wide-angle perspective, the dome occupies the lower third while the galaxy dominates above, creating a calm, majestic, and scientifically inspiring atmosphere.

About me

I am a postdoctoral astrophysicist at Swinburne University, building new ways to use laser frequency combs for precision cosmology and exoplanet discovery.

I completed my PhD in 2025 at the University Australia, researching the differences between stars and gas in galaxies to learn about their formation history. Prior to my PhD, I completed my masters degree at Durham University.

My non-academic interests are powerlifting (I compete professionally at national and international levels), numismatics, ancient history and oil painting. I also enjoy a broad range of sports at social level, especially football (soccer).

Full biography

Updates

09 July 2026

I presented the latest developments in improving the spectral calibration of ESPRESSO and other high-resolution spectrographs at the Astronomical Society of Australia Annual Science Meeting 2026

10 June 2026

I presented my work within the COMBS Excellence centre seminar series – Link to talk

31 May 2026

I participated in the Australian Powerlifting Championship 2026 – South division, and won the silver medal for bench press in my weigh category.

15 February 2026

I presented my research at the ARC COMBS excellence centre 2026 workshop in Wollongong.

30 May 2025

Update

I have started a postdoctoral position at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University.

20 November 2024

I have been awarded the Ken and Julie Michael Prize at ICRAR UWA, recognising the outstanding achievements of PhD students in relation to excellence in their research work.

Talks

I am a keen science communicator, to both scientific and non-expert audiences. Four of my contributed conference talks have been recognised with awards.

I am also a TEDx speaker, and I regularly participate in outreach activities.

Click the link below to see some of my talks.

Talks

Contact me

Based in Melbourne, I welcome inquiries from collaborators, media, and the public. Feel free to get in touch using the form below, or reach out to me at aristea@swin.edu.au

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