A pioneer in the study of exoplanets and exoplanet atmospheres, Sara Seager is returning to her alma mater, the University of Toronto (U of T), to join the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) as North Star Distinguished Professor, starting September 1, 2026.
“I’m excited to return home as a faculty member, researcher and mentor at the institution where my academic journey began, and to push the boundaries of discovery with forward-thinking collaborators across disciplines,” says Seager, a native Torontonian and U of T alum who grew up a few blocks from the downtown campus.
Seager’s research will be supported through cross-appointments with the Departments of Chemistry and Physics as well as the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, with funding from the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics.
She joins CITA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she will complete her tenure as Professor of Physics, Professor of Planetary Science and Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Prior to MIT, she was with the Carnegie Institute of Science and the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey. In 1999, she received her PhD from Harvard University. In 2023, she received an honorary Doctor of Science from U of T for her leadership in the fields of astrophysics and planetary science. She earned a bachelor of science in the math and physics specialist program at U of T in 1994.
Learn More:
- Arts & Science News: Renowned planetary scientist Sara Seager joins U of T and the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics as North Star Distinguished Professor
- UofT News: New Constellation of academic stars headed to U of T: https://www.utoronto.ca/news/new-constellation-academic-stars-headed-u-t
U of T has consistently led the way in transformative research. I’m deeply honoured to join this community of visionary thinkers dedicated to innovation and impact. -Sara Seager