Dr. Gioia Rau

Dr. Gioia Rau is an accomplished astrophysicist currently serving as an IPA Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF), where responsibilities include overseeing the Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics Portfolio and co-leading NSF AI Institutes for Astrophysics. Additionally, Dr. Rau holds the position of Program Scientist at Schmidt Sciences and serves on the Advisory Board of the Johns Hopkins Science Diplomacy Hub, providing strategic guidance in space science and policy. With extensive experience as a Research Scientist and Visiting Researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, along with previous roles at various esteemed institutions, Dr. Rau has contributed significantly to advancements in astrophysics, mentoring students and leading notable projects in the field. Educational qualifications include a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Vienna, complemented by master's degrees from Sapienza Università di Roma and Caltech.