Dr. Edwin Bergin

Edwin (Ted) Bergin is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Michigan. Bergin graduated with a B.S. from Villanova University in 1989, and received his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Massachusetts in 1995. In 2008, he was the recipient of the Henry Russel Award, the highest honor bestowed by the University of Michigan for junior faculty. In 2019 he was awarded the Heineman Prize for Astrophysics by the American Astronomical Society and the American Institute of Physics. This is one of the highest prizes offered by the field “for his pioneering work in astrochemistry and innovative contributions to our understanding of the physics and chemistry of star and planet formation, and for his tireless efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in astronomy.” Bergin's research focus is on using chemistry to explore the origins of stars and planets. His work ultimately aims at understanding whether the supply of life's needed chemicals is preordained to form an Earth-like world, or whether it's a rare outcome.