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Heising-Simons Foundation Announces Inaugural Class of Astronova Fellows

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The Heising-Simons Foundation’s Science program is pleased to announce Christina Vides, Ph.D., and Aafaque Khan as the inaugural class of Astronova Fellows.

The two fellows will pursue distinct research projects that advance our understanding of the universe through astronomical instrumentation: Dr. Vides’s work will seek to uncover a previously understudied population of protoplanets orbiting distant stars, while Mr. Khan’s instrument advancements will enable investigations of how the flow of diffuse matter into and out of galaxies influences their evolution.

See below for more information about the two fellows.

About the 2026 Astronova Fellows

Christina Vides, Ph.D.
Host Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz
As an Astronova Fellow, Dr. Vides will significantly advance her research in aperture masking interferometry. First, she will develop data-reduction pipelines that convert raw observations from the Keck Observatory’s new SCALES instrument into scientifically reliable data. This software will automate complex calculations to interpret aperture-masked light waves and refine the data so that it can be reconstructed into images of planets forming in orbits similar to those of Saturn and Jupiter around distant stars. She is also designing a Jewel mask, a multifaceted interferometric device that amplifies the light received by a telescope, boosting its sensitivity to detect even farther, fainter planetary systems in the process of formation. Learn more about Dr. Vides in her bio.

Aafaque Khan
Host Institution: University of Arizona
As an Astronova Fellow, Mr. Khan will create Aspera’s first ultraviolet maps of the circumgalactic medium while advancing the detector technology needed for next-generation space telescopes. This includes developing Skipper CCDs—sensors that repeatedly read each pixel to suppress electronic noise, achieving sensitivity down to individual photons. Applying lessons learned from Aspera, Mr. Khan will then lead development of Mileva, a constellation of small, specialized satellites working together to map the circumgalactic medium in ultraviolet light. Learn more about Mr. Khan in his bio.

“While novel instrumentation—from Galileo’s telescope to the JWST—has driven some of our greatest discoveries about the universe, today’s academic system often undervalues astronomical instrumentalists. Universities are often hesitant to hire instrumentalists due to high startup costs, and slower publication outputs can put them at a disadvantage come tenure review. This leads to fewer instrumentalists in faculty positions and fewer students trained to become the next generation of astronomical innovators. The Astronova Fellowship aims to break this cycle.”

Gabriele Betancourt-Martinez, Science program officer and Astronova Fellowship lead, Heising-Simons Foundation

About the Astronova Fellowship

Launched in 2026, the Heising-Simons Foundation’s Astronomical Innovation (Astronova™) Fellowship supports promising postdoctoral scientists who are working to revolutionize the fields of astronomy and astrophysics, cosmology, and planetary science by developing cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation. Through this fellowship, we seek to advance fellows into tenure-track faculty positions, where they can continue their pioneering instrumentation research and mentor and train the next generation of astronomical instrumentalists.  

The  Astronova™  Fellowship is a companion to the Heising-Simons Foundation’s 51 Pegasi b Fellowship, which provides postdoctoral scientists with the opportunity to conduct research in planetary astronomy. Since 2017, more than 68 fellows have made unique contributions to our understanding of planetary system formation and evolution, many enabled by new astronomical instrumentation. 

  • Flexible research award. Each fellow, through their host institution, receives funding for salary, benefits, and discretionary spending over a four-year term, with potential for a fifth-year extension. 
  • Access to Innovation Fund. Beginning in year two of the followship period, fellows may apply for an additional Innovation Fund grant to pursue a novel instrumentation concept or component of their own design. 
  • Catalytic support. Fellows who obtain a faculty or research position during their fellowship are eligible to apply for a new grant to augment their startup package. 
  • Peer learning and connections. Fellows have opportunities to participate in instrumentation-specific professional development and networking—including an annual research summit with their advisors and other leaders in the field.

Astronova Fellows carry out their research at one of six currently participating host institutions. The Heising-Simons Foundation’s Science Program is now accepting applications from eligible universities and research institutions who wish to be considered as host institutions for future cycles of the Astronova™ Fellowship until July 10, 2026.

The next cycle of the Astronova™ Fellowship will open for applications from prospective fellows in July 2026 and close in October 2026, with Astronova Fellows beginning work in 2027.

To be the first to learn about Astronova news, subscribe to email updates from the Science program.

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