In a captivating journey through the cosmos, meet Professor Hiranya Peiris, the newly appointed Professor of Astrophysics (1909) at the University of Cambridge. From her childhood fascination with the stars in Sri Lanka to becoming a renowned cosmologist, Professor Peiris shares her awe-inspiring story, touching on her inspirations, the challenges she’s overcome, and her groundbreaking research.
Growing up under the dark skies of Sri Lanka, Professor Peiris found her curiosity ignited by the vast expanse above. Inspired by her mother, one of the first female civil engineers in Sri Lanka, and guided by inspirational figures like Carl Sagan and Arthur C. Clarke, she developed a deep love for science. The early exposure to the mysteries of the universe set the stage for her extraordinary journey.
Fueling her passion for space exploration, Professor Peiris joined Sri Lanka’s Young Astronomers Association, led by none other than Arthur C. Clarke. Her affinity for science fiction, coupled with a transformative experience watching Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time,” further solidified her commitment to astrophysics. Although her dream of becoming an astronaut faced a setback, she found her calling in the classrooms of Cambridge, driven by her further maths teacher, Dr. Egan.
During her time at Cambridge, Professor Peiris experienced personal growth, finding her voice in discussing science. Meeting the legendary Stephen Hawking, after a lecture, was a pivotal moment, marked by a thumbprint on the inside cover of “The Nature of Space and Time.” Hawking’s strength despite disabilities deeply inspired her pursuit of unraveling the universe’s secrets.
Embarking on a summer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US, Professor Peiris discovered her love for research in astronomy. Her PhD journey, exploring the cosmic microwave background radiation, marked the beginning of precision cosmology, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe’s age and evolution.
Driven by a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, Professor Peiris thrives in the unknown space before answers are found. She cherishes collaborative research experiences and aims to solve questions at the boundary of our understanding. Her involvement in the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time is a testament to her commitment to unveiling the universe’s mysteries.
Intrigued by the physics of the Big Bang and the origins of everything, Professor Peiris is on a quest for answers. Engaging in high-risk, high-reward research, she collaborates with Professor Hadzibabic’s group at the Cavendish Laboratory to create a quantum simulator, aiming to emulate the early universe’s conditions.
Honored with the title of Professor of Astrophysics (1909), Professor Peiris sees this as a platform to supercharge interdisciplinary collaborations, elevate the visibility of women and under-represented minorities in science, and engage in outreach to under-served communities. Returning to Cambridge feels like coming home, and Professor Peiris is set to leave an indelible mark on the tapestry of research.
