Astrochemistry studies chemical reactions under the extreme conditions of outer space. This is partly in order to understand reaction networks—chemical reactions consisting of several individual reactions—and the evolution of complex matter over long periods of time. But molecules also provide a unique tool for studying all manner of different cosmic environments from a distance. If it is possible to model the chemical reaction networks interacting with the physical environment, conclusions can be drawn about the physical environment and hence our understanding of how galaxies, star systems and planets are formed can be improved. The research field thus combines astrophysics with chemistry, both topics that representatives of various disciplines investigate in the Matter Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) at the University of Bonn.
One pioneer in the field of modeling astrochemical reaction networks is the astrochemist Professor Serena Viti from the Leiden Observatory at Leiden University, who was appointed designated Hertz Professor of Astrochemistry at the University of Bonn in August. “She has extended the techniques used in astrochemistry to include objects outside our galaxy and has thus opened up completely new parts of the cosmos for astrochemical analysis,” says Professor Sebastian Neubert, Speaker for the TRA Matter.
Ideal tools to study the universe
Serena Viti is particularly excited about two aspects of her field of research: “How far can chemical complexity happen in space? It is not easy for molecules to survive in such harsh conditions and yet we have detected over 300 molecules. Ultimately, these are the molecules that are involved in the process of star and planet formation. Second, molecules are excellent tools to study the physics, chemistry and dynamics of the universe.”
Over the next two years, Serena Viti, who is a Professor of Astronomy at Leiden Observatory at Leiden University, will already spend some time researching and teaching at the University of Bonn, focusing on two main questions: how do large molecules form in space and what are their roles in star and planet formation? And how can the interpretation of molecular observations be optimized in order to understand how galaxies form and evolve?
Professor Viti is thus laying the foundations for taking up the Hertz Professorship in the TRA Matter at the University of Bonn in August 2026. This is a position that suits her very well: “I love being at the intersection of astronomy, chemistry and physics. Recently, our work has also benefited from the great advances in machine learning. The key to my research is to find out how large molecules exist in space, and this problem can only be tackled by a comprehensive effort involving astronomers, experimental and theoretical chemists, and data scientists.”
Professor Viti’s research is also the ideal complement to the expertise already present in the proposed new Cluster of Excellence initiative entitled “Our Dynamic Universe,” in which she will be involved. “Our Dynamic Universe” addresses the fundamental question of how galaxies evolve over time, and Professor Viti’s research is helping to unravel the history of these galaxies by detecting and interpreting molecules inside them.
About the designated Hertz Professor
Professor Serena Viti obtained a BSc in Astrophysics from Queen Mary University of London in 1994 and a PhD in Astronomy from University College London (UCL) in 1997. She then held positions at UCL and the Institute of Interplanetary Space Physics (IFSI) in Rome before being appointed Professor at UCL in 2012. From 2016 onward, she led its Astrophysics Group. She has been Professor of Astrophysics at Leiden University in the Netherlands since June 2020 and was also Professor of Astrophysics at UCL from 2020 to 2023. In October 2023, UCL awarded her the title of Honorary Professor. Serena Viti took up the position of designated Hertz Professor at the University of Bonn in August 2024.