Erica Nelson

Office:

D215 (Duane)

My research program is centered around galaxy formation and evolution: understanding how the Universe evolved from its uniform state shortly after the Big Bang to the rich diversity of galaxies we see today. I use cutting-edge observational and theoretical techniques to understand how galaxies come to be. I'm excited about observations with the James Webb Space Telescope being launched in Fall 2021 (fingers crossed!), new tools for understanding data, and the potential of cosmological simulations. 

Recent media appearances: 

CBS Colorado: "It's bananas": CU researchers use James Webb telescope to find ancient galaxies that shouldn't exist

Science Friday: Are These Ancient Galaxies Too Big For Their Age?

Forbes: These New Webb Telescope Images Are ‘Universe Breakers,’ Say Baffled Scientists

The Guardian: James Webb telescope detects evidence of ancient ‘universe breaker’ galaxies

BCC Science Focus Magazine: James Webb Space Telescope has discovered evidence of massive ancient galaxies that science says shouldn’t exist