Nick Cox

Research Fellow, Herschel Science Centre

In 2001 I obtained my Master's degree in astronomy & physics at the
University of Utrecht (Netherlands), shortly after spending almost
a year at the University of Sydney (Australia) for my research
project on 'a relic diffuse giant radio galaxy'.

For my PhD I 'switched' to astrochemistry, joining the Astronomical
Institute "Anton Pannekoek" at the University of Amsterdam and the
Astrobiology group at Leiden University (Netherlands).

My research revolved around a set of unidentified optical
absorption features, called 'diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs)',
originating in the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM). Their
presence in the ISM is known for over 80 years but not a single
carrier has yet been identified! The current idea is that these
bands are signatures of electronic transitions of large
carbonaceous molecules such as fullerenes or PAHs. I studied the
behaviour of these bands and candidate carrier molecules in various
Galactic and extra-galactic (e.g. Magellanic Clouds) environments.

Molecules similar or related to the carriers of the DIBs, in
particular PAHs, are attributed to giving rise to the unidentified
or aromatic infrared bands observed ubiquitously in space by ISO
and now also with Spitzer & Akari. Alas, no single molecule has yet
been identified as contributing to the infrared bands either.

My current research continues in the direction of astrochemistry,
in particular that of the identification and (spectroscopic) study
of interstellar complex organic molecules. I'm interested in the
formation, survival and destruction of these molecules, and their
connection with other molecular and solid-state features observed
in the various phases of star formation (e.g. evolved stars,
diffuse ISM, HII regions). For the future, Herschel will certainly
provide us with a new and unique view on organics in the Universe!