Jacob joined Steward Observatory in Jan 2024 to work with Dr. Steve Ertel to develop and support LBT Inteferometric observations. Jacob's research focuses on active galactic nuclei (AGN) and their dynamics at the (sub-)parsec scale, aiming to understand the interface and co-evolution of the AGN and its host galaxy. He uses dust emission to trace the in- and outflowing gas which feeds the AGN or impacts the host. He completed his bachelors at the University of Iowa, and he received his PhD in 2022 from the University of Heidelberg for his work with the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy to study nearby AGN and image them at subparsec scales with the VLTI/MATISSE instrument.

Areas of Interest: Active galactic nuclei, optical/NIR interferometry, black hole/host connection, galaxy evolution