2026 Early Career Alumni Award: Allison Kirkpatrick
Allison Kirkpatrick '16 PhD is a recipient of the 2026 College of Natural Sciences (CNS) Early Career Alumni Award.
Kirkpatrick began her academic journey in mathematics, earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 2007 before pursuing a PhD in Astronomy at CNS. While at UMass, she conducted doctoral research under Professor Alexandra Pope, investigating how growing supermassive black holes influence the infrared emission of dusty galaxies in the distant universe. She completed her doctorate in 2016, laying the foundation for a career exploring the relationship between black holes and the galaxies they inhabit.
"I'm so honored to win this award,” expressed Kirkpatrick. “I fully credit UMass and the incredible Astronomy department with making me the researcher I am today. I had many wonderful professors and two fantastic research advisors—Dr. Daniella Calzetii and Dr. Alexandra Pope. Daniella modeled for me how to be a strong woman in a male-dominated field—how to make our field more equitable, even at a personal cost—and I strive to model the same principle for those students I now advise. Alex taught me not only how to be a good researcher, but how to be a great mentor. She ensured that I had opportunities to travel, join collaborations, and lead projects. Because of her, I left graduate school with an already well-developed reputation in the field. I am thrilled to still collaborate with Alex today to uncover how galaxies like our Milky Way formed, and how the supermassive black holes lurking at their centers create havoc in these galaxies."
Following her graduation from UMass, Kirkpatrick joined Yale University as a Yale Center for Astronomy & Astrophysics Fellow, where she continued her research into galaxy evolution. In 2018, she joined the University of Kansas (KU) Department of Physics and Astronomy as an assistant professor, advancing to associate professor in 2024. She also serves as associate chair of the department and, in 2026, became a Provost Fellow in KU's Office of Faculty Affairs.
Kirkpatrick's research examines how supermassive black holes grow and interact with their host galaxies across cosmic history. Using observations from some of the world's most powerful telescopes, she investigates the processes that shape galaxies, from the activity of relatively faint black holes to the brilliant quasars found in the distant universe.
One of her notable contributions is the identification of a rare population of objects she named "cold quasars." These unusually blue, unobscured quasars exhibit exceptionally high rates of star formation, challenging existing theories about how quasars and their host galaxies evolve. Her research has helped advance understanding of the complex relationship between black hole growth and the formation of new stars.
Kirkpatrick has also established a substantial research program using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), NASA's flagship space observatory. As principal investigator, she has secured more than 100 hours of observing time, including observations that form the MEGA survey. Through this work, she investigates the growth of supermassive black holes in galaxies, including isolated disk galaxies, helping researchers better understand how black holes are fueled and how their activity influences galactic evolution. Her research portfolio includes more than 70 publications and over $2.5 million in external funding.
Beyond her research, Kirkpatrick is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. At KU, she has mentored undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, helping students secure competitive fellowships and research awards. She has personally coached recipients of National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and NASA FINESST awards. Her commitment to student learning has also earned recognition, including the University of Kansas' William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence in 2024.
Kirkpatrick's leadership extends beyond the classroom and laboratory. She has helped organize undergraduate research programs, contributed to national discussions about the future of astronomy, and advocated for equity and inclusion in the sciences. Her work connecting scientific discovery with education, mentorship, and institutional leadership reflects a commitment to strengthening the broader scientific community.
Through her research on black holes and galaxy evolution, her leadership in astronomy, and her dedication to student success, Kirkpatrick exemplifies the impact of CNS alumni who are advancing their fields while helping shape the next generation of scientists.
“We are so proud of Dr. Kirkpatrick’s rapid success as a faculty member at the University of Kansas,” said CNS Dean Mike Fox. “Her discoveries using space-based telescopes are shedding light on star formation, super massive black holes, and galaxy evolution. We are also particularly proud of her commitment to mentorship and leadership at KU, where her scholarly successes are not only creating discoveries but also future scientists that will lead the field for years to come.”
“The James Webb Space Telescope has opened up so many avenues for black hole research, and I hope that my survey will prove instrumental in understanding how these black holes grew to their massive size and, potentially, how they formed in the first place,” said Kirkpatrick. “Astronomy is prioritizing infrared science like never before, recognizing that the secrets of our universe are often hidden behind large amounts of dust. In fact, Dr. Pope is playing a key role in developing the next major space infrared observatory—PRIMA—and I can’t wait to use it to see what dust is hiding in the very distant universe.”