Erika Hamden

Dr. Erika Hamden is the host of AZPM's science series, New Frontiers. She is a tenured professor of astrophysics at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory and has served as director of the University of Arizona Space Institute since 2023. A leading expert in space astrophysics, she specializes in building space and stratospheric telescopes and advancing technologies that improve astronomical observation.

Dr. Hamden leads several major NASA-related missions and concepts, including serving as Principal Investigator of Hyperion and Eos, while also acting as deputy PI for the Aspera SmallSat telescope and Institutional PI for the FIREBall-2 balloon mission. She is widely recognized for mentoring the next generation of scientists and helped create NASA’s PI Launchpad program, which trains early-career researchers to develop their own space missions.

Dr. Hamden earned her bachelor’s degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Harvard University before completing her PhD at Columbia University in 2014, followed by postdoctoral work at California Institute of Technology. Her achievements include a Nancy Grace Roman Technology Fellowship, a PECASE award, TED Fellowship recognition, and honors from NASA for her contributions to astrophysics and space technology. She was recently named a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow.