Michael A. McDonald

Associate Professor of Physics
Focuses on the evolution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, and the role that environment plays in dictating this evolution.
Research Areas
Astrophysics Observation, Instrumentation, and Experiment
Professor Michael McDonald smiles while sitting at his desk, with blurry office background.
(617) 324-1075
Office: Ronald McNair Building, 37-664B
Lab(s): McDonald Research Group
Affiliated Center(s): MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research
Assistant: Ty’Shauna Ross

Research Interests

His research focuses on the evolution of galaxies and clusters of galaxies, and the role that environment plays in dictating this evolution. This research involves the discovery and study of the most distant assemblies of galaxies alongside detailed analyses of the complex interplay between gas, galaxies, and black holes in the closest, most massive systems. This research makes use of a wide variety of ground- and space-based observatories, including (but not limited to) the Hubble and Chandra space telescopes, and the Magellan and ALMA telescopes located in Chile.

Biographical Sketch

Michael McDonald is an Associate Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology’s Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. He obtained his BScH and MSc degrees in Physics at Queen’s University in Canada, and his PhD in Astronomy at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. Michael spent three years as a Hubble Fellow at MIT, before being hired as an Assistant Professor in July 2015.

More info:

In the news
Professor Michael McDonald smiles while sitting at his desk, with blurry office background.
In the news

Research pulled Michael McDonald in and it won’t let go

Since his first encounter with a research telescope, the astrophysics professor hasn't slowed in his quest to understand the behavior of galaxies.

Awards & Honors

  • 2023-25 // Committed to Caring honoree (MIT)
  • 2018 // NSF Faculty Early Career Development Grant (CAREER)
  • 2012 // NASA Hubble Fellowship
  • 2012 // NASA Einstein Fellowship (declined)

Key Publications