Stephen McKay
Physics PhD Candidate
University of Wisconsin–Madison

porto, portugal
I'm a fifth-year PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, working with Amy Barger in the Department of Astronomy.
I study some of the most distant, obscured galaxies in the Universe with the latest telescopes from optical to radio wavelengths.
A2744, uncover jwst team
I am interested in galaxy formation and evolution in the early Universe, particularly massive dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs).
Using state-of-the-art telescopes such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and the James Webb Space Telescope, I investigate how many stars these galaxies are forming, how much their starlight is absorbed by astrophysical dust, and how these galaxies evolve over cosmic time.
devils lake, wi
Outside of work, I like playing guitar, sketching, traveling abroad, listening to history podcasts, and being in nature—especially skiing and hiking. Art & photo gallery coming soon....
I am almost always trying to learn some new skill, hobby, or language on the side (sometimes I'm even successful :). Lately my interests have been in improving my Spanish, picking up the mandolin, and reading lots of classic books. I'm hoping to get back into writing and some more hands-on DIY projects soon.
And amid all the splendours of the World, its vast halls and spaces, and its wheeling fires, Ilúvatar chose a place for their habitation in the Deeps of Time and in the midst of the innumerable stars.
— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion