The field of molecular astrophysics (astrochemistry) seeks to understand the formation, destruction, and excitation of molecules in astronomical environments and their influence on the structure, dynamics, and evolution of astronomical objects (Dalgarno 2008). The research group of Prof. Dr. Maria N. Drozdovskaya at DCBP mainly focuses on understanding the role of the natal environment of stars and planets for the planetary building blocks that emerge within in terms of their chemical composition. Quantifying natal preset versus alteration in complex organic molecules of planetary materials is the main objective of the running (2026-2031) European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator (CoG) Project "Planetary Systems from Interstellar Ingredients" (ΨI).
Some of the key questions that we tackle:
- How chemically complex do molecules in star-forming regions get and how do they form?
- What is the chemical composition of interstellar ices in molecular clouds, protostellar regions, and protoplanetary disks?
- What sets the chemical composition of planet-forming materials?
We investigate these topics by combining observational data from the world's largest astronomical facilities on the ground and in space: ALMA to study gases and JWST to characterize ices in star- and planet-forming regions. To decipher observational trends, we perform advanced physicochemical modeling of such systems. We link with the chemical composition of our Solar System through studies of comets, the most pristine available relics of the early formative stages of our planetary system. Our work has implication for understanding to what extent the origins of life are interstellar.
We are a brand-new ambitious Molecular Astrophysics Group founded on May 1st, 2026. We are an international team with scientific excellence, mutual empowerment, and collective resilience as its core values. We are involved in a number of large international consortia.
New collaboration? Interested in joining the group? Curious about BSc or MSc projects? Reach out to us!
