Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Brian J Williams

(Research AST, Fields and Particles)

 brian.j.williams@nasa.gov

 301.614.5085

Org Code: 662

NASA/GSFC
 Mail Code: 662
 Greenbelt, MD 20771

Employer: NASA

Brief Bio

Dr. Brian J. Williams joined Goddard's X-ray Astrophysics Laboratory in April of 2012 as a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow, where he served until 2015. He then worked for two years as a university scientist with USRA at Goddard, before spending a year at Space Telescope Science Institute. He returned to Goddard as a civil servant in 2018. He serves as the NASA Project Scientist for the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), as well as the Associate PI for the Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS) Probe proposal.


Personal website:

https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/Brian.Williams/

Publications on ADS:

http://www.tinyurl.com/brianwilliamspapers

Research Interests

Supernovae and supernova remnants

Astrophysics: Supernovae & SNRs

Dr. Williams' interest is in supernova explosions, particularly in supernova remnants. He studies how stellar explosions interact with the interstellar medium of the galaxy, spreading elements like carbon, oxygen, and iron throughout the cosmos.

Current Projects

X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM)

X-ray Astrophysics

Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS)

Technology & Missions

Positions/Employment

Postdoc

North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC

April 2010 - May 2012

NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow

NASA/ORAU - NASA GSFC, Greenbelt, MD

May 2012 - May 2015

Research Scientist

Universities Space Research Association - NASA GSFC, Greenbelt, MD

May 2015 - March 2017

Support Scientist

Space Telescope Science Institute - Baltimore, MD

March 2017 - June 2018

Research Astrophysicist

NASA - NASA GSFC, Greenbelt, MD

June 2018 - Present

Education

Ph.D., Physics, North Carolina State University, May 2010

Advisors: Stephen P. Reynolds and Kazimierz J. Borkowski

B.S. Physics, Florida State University, May 2004

Professional Societies

American Astronomical Society

2005 - Present

American Physical Society

2005 - Present

Awards

NASA Early Career Achievement Medal, 2020

Teaching Experience

Summer 2011, 2010              PY 299 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics
                                                   North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Fall 2010                                  PHY 211 - General Physics I
                                                   Meredith College, Raleigh, NC

Fall 2010                                  PHY 241 - General Physics I Laboratory
                                                   Meredith College, Raleigh, NC

Fall 2009 - Spring 2010        PY 411 & 412 - Classical Mechanics I & II
                                                   North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
                                                   Supplementary Instructor

Contact Us

Jocelyn Lynch
Project Support Specialist
301-286-6066
jocelyn.m.lynch@nasa.gov
Ellie Jeffries
Project Support Specialist
301-286-6066
ellen.e.jeffries@nasa.gov

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