Prof. Mark Swinbank

I am an astronomer in the Center for Extragalactic Astronomy (CEA) at the University of Durham. My research interests primarily include the formation and evolution of galaxies, galaxy clusters, large scale structure and galaxies in interaction. I exploit multi-wavelength data to explore the properties of distant galaxies to explore the processes which shaped galaxies in the local Universe. I also use strong gravitational lensing (the deflection of light by massive foreground galaxy clusters) to boost the sizes and brightnesses of images of distant, young galaxies to resolve structures and dynamics on scales which would otherwise be impossible with current technology. My research interests also include obscured star-forming galaxies -- selected at sub-mm and radio wavebands. These galaxies are seen in the sub-mm as the UV/optical starlight from young, massive stars is absorbed by dust and re-radiated in the far-infrared waveband.