# Katie Mack

> Dr. Katherine (Katie) Mack is a theoretical astrophysicist, science communicator, and author who holds the inaugural Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Known online as @AstroKatie with over 400,000 Twitter/X followers, she studies the fundamental questions of how the universe will end - dark matter, vacuum decay, primordial black holes - and makes it all thrillingly accessible. Her 2020 book 'The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)' was a New York Times Notable Book. She publishes 'The Last Star' newsletter, co-hosted a podcast with John Green, is an instrument-rated pilot, and was name-dropped by Hozier in a Grammy-winning album.

- **Role:** Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
- **Organizations:** Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research), The Ninety-Nines (women pilot organization), Canadian Aviation Museum (board member)
- **From:** United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. Physics, California Institute of Technology, Ph.D. Astrophysics, Princeton University
- **Known for:** Inaugural holder of the Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at Perimeter Institute, Author of 'The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)' - New York Times Notable Book (2020), Over 400,000 followers on Twitter/X as @AstroKatie

## Career timeline

- **2003** — Graduated Caltech with B.S. in Physics
- **2009** — Completed Ph.D. in Astrophysics at Princeton University under Paul Steinhardt; thesis: 'Tests of Early Universe Physics from Observational Astronomy'
- **2009** — Postdoctoral fellow, Kavli Institute for Cosmology, University of Cambridge (STFC research position)
- **2012** — Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellow, University of Melbourne
- **2017** — Australian Institute of Physics Women in Physics Lecturer
- **2018** — Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, NC State University; Member, Leadership in Public Science Cluster
- **2019** — Referenced in Hozier's track 'No Plan' on album 'Wasteland, Baby!' - Grammy Award-winning album
- **2019** — Sundance Film Festival jury member
- **2020** — Published 'The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)' with Simon & Schuster - NYT Notable Book
- **2020** — Earned private pilot certificate in Northampton, Massachusetts
- **2022** — Appointed inaugural Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
- **2022** — Named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar
- **2024** — Received Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award from American Association of Physics Teachers
- **2024** — Co-hosted 'Crash Course Pods: The Universe' podcast with author John Green

## Achievements

- Inaugural holder of the Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at Perimeter Institute
- Author of 'The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)' - New York Times Notable Book (2020)
- Over 400,000 followers on Twitter/X as @AstroKatie
- 2024 Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award, American Association of Physics Teachers
- 2022 CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar
- Referenced by name in Hozier's Grammy-winning album 'Wasteland, Baby!' track 'No Plan'
- 2019 Sundance Film Festival jury member
- 2017 Australian Institute of Physics Women in Physics Lecturer
- Private pilot with instrument ratings in the US and Canada, tailwheel and complex endorsements
- Co-hosted podcast with John Green: Crash Course Pods: The Universe (2024)

## Latest updates

- **2025-02** — Featured in AOPA Pilot magazine for her private pilot journey and aerobatic pursuits
- **2024-01** — Received 2024 Richtmyer Memorial Lecture Award at AAPT Winter Meeting in College Park, Maryland
- **2024-01** — Co-hosted Crash Course Pods: The Universe with author John Green

## Links

- Website: https://www.astrokatie.com/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/AstroKatie
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrokatiemack/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astrokatie/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/katie-mack
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-22