Research focus
Sarah Pappert is pursuing a doctorate in astrophysics at the Technical University of Munich. Her work is conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Reinhard Genzel and Prof. Dr. Frank Eisenhauer. She investigates the formation pathways of supermassive black holes and contributes to the design of cutting‑edge instruments for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) being built in Chile.
Instrument development for the ELT
Within the ELT project, Pappert is developing advanced spectrographs and imaging systems that will enable unprecedented resolution of the environments surrounding supermassive black holes. These tools are intended to measure gas dynamics and stellar motions in the cores of distant galaxies.
Science outreach
Beyond her research, Pappert is active in science communication. She gives talks at schools, organizes workshops aimed at girls and young women, and uses social media to translate complex astrophysical concepts into accessible language. Her outreach aims to inspire more women to pursue STEM studies.
Future outlook
The data expected from the ELT could reveal how the earliest supermassive black holes formed in the young universe. Pappert hopes her work will not only deepen scientific understanding but also strengthen the technological foundation for future space‑based observations.