SURP Student Spotlight: Matteo Moretti

I was born in La Paz, Bolivia, where I lived until the age of 4, when I moved to the US. I moved to Toronto to study at the University of Toronto at 17 in 2023. I am now entering my fourth year here, pursuing a Specialist in Astronomy and Physics as well as a minor in Mathematics. My research interests lie mostly in machine learning applications to astronomy, specifically with cosmology and galactic archaeology. Outside of academics, I love playing soccer, guitar, video games, and taking photos.

What made you decide to participate in SURP?

I joined SURP because it presented an opportunity to learn about how machine learning can be applied in an astronomical context. I enjoy being able to learn so much about how to work with large datasets and solve difficult problems while at the same time pursuing one of my passions in astronomy.

What is your favourite thing about SURP?

My favorite thing about SURP is being able to be an active member of the community here. There are many events that both provide insight into how day-to-day life is in academia, as well as showcase the countless other opportunities that are available in industry. Through attending these events and being around campus, I have made a lot of new friends who also share the same goals as I do, which I am very grateful for.

Can you tell us about your research project?

We have plenty of theories about how galaxies evolve, but most have only been tested inside our own Milky Way. To see if these rules apply elsewhere, astronomers are looking at Andromeda (M31), our nearest spiral neighbor.

Studying the chemical elements within stars reveals how a galaxy grew, but Andromeda’s distance makes taking those measurements extremely difficult. This project uses the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and its specialized NIRSpec instrument to capture detailed stellar chemistry in Andromeda, testing our theories on a whole new galactic scale.

Can you explain how SURP has been different from your undergrad work?

One of the biggest differences between my SURP project and undergraduate research has been the environment. During the year, having to juggle a research project as well as a full course load can be very stressful. During the summer, however, I am now able to dedicate a lot more time to research. Because of this, doing research feels more enjoyable. It is also really cool to take things that I have learned in a classroom, like Fourier decomposition or statistical analysis, and actually apply them to real data or simulations to learn new things about astronomy.

What are your plans for the future?

I would love to eventually become a professor. Teaching others and spreading something I am passionate about has always been one of the most important things in considering future careers. Being a professor will allow me to hopefully inspire others to learn, while still being able to contribute to the body of astronomy as an active scholar.

The Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto is an endowed research institute with over 80 faculty, postdocs, students, and staff, dedicated to innovative technology, ground-breaking research, world-class training, and public engagement.

The research themes of its faculty and Dunlap Fellows span the Universe and include: optical, infrared and radio instrumentation, Dark Energy, large-scale structure, the Cosmic Microwave Background, the interstellar medium, galaxy evolution, cosmic magnetism, and time-domain science.

The Dunlap Institute, the David A. Dunlap of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and other researchers across the University of Toronto’s three campuses together comprise the leading concentration of astronomers in Canada, at the leading research university in the country.

The Dunlap Institute is committed to making its science, training, and public outreach activities productive and enjoyable for everyone of all backgrounds and identities.