Neta Bahcall

Bio/Description

Neta Bahcall, who has served on the faculty for more than four decades, focuses on observational cosmology, dark matter, dark energy, clusters of galaxies, the mass density of the universe and other topics. She is also director of undergraduate studies for the astrophysical sciences department.

Bahcall is known for her devotion to her students, “who speak of her with a combination of awe at her scientific brilliance, gratitude for her mentorship and encouragement, and inspiration for her role in helping them decide their career paths,” a colleague noted.

An alumnus who is now a professor of astronomy said, “Neta Bahcall stands out in my mind for many things: her scientific acuity, her dedication to her teaching and her compassion for her students. Most of all, though, she has a sparkle in her eye that is infectious.”

Many students have remarked on how inspirational Bahcall has been as a woman scientist at the top of her field. “She has shown me what it means to become a perfect marriage of scientist and woman, and that those two roles together are a powerful combination,” one former student said. “She has a willingness to push her students, but it never overshadows her ability to build their confidence and self-worth.”  

Bahcall’s class on cosmology is renowned at Princeton. An alumna who went on to enroll in graduate school in astrophysics said she was awed by Bahcall’s ability to explain complex concepts with clarity, patience and humor. “She would tie together various topics in early cosmology, particle physics and large-scale structure with the grace and fluency that only the most experienced and eloquent teachers possess,” she noted.