Francisco Mercado
Dr. Francisco J. Mercado is a Chicano astrophysicist born and raised in the greater Los Angeles area. He is currently an NSF MPS-Ascend Postdoctoral Fellow at Pomona College. He earned his B.S. in Physics from Cal Poly Pomona and his Ph.D. in Physics from UC Irvine. Francisco studies galaxy formation and evolution using state-of-the-art cosmological simulations, with a particular focus on how internal processes (like star formation) and external factors (such as environmental interactions) shape galactic interiors.
Outside of his research, Francisco co-leads an undergraduate research group at Pomona College and is deeply committed to improving astronomy education. He is the founder of the Astro Uplift Project, a 3-year NSF-supported initiative that aims to uplift the astronomy community by amplifying the work and stories of marginalized astronomers and exploring ways to dismantle systemic barriers in the field. The project centers on a series of innovative planetarium shows that live at the intersection of astronomy and justice. When he’s not immersed in galaxies or mentoring students, Francisco enjoys spending time with his dogs, Luna and Nova, and getting lost in science fiction and fantasy novels.
