John C. Hood II

John C. Hood II

Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Chicago
Specializing in Time-Domain Astronomy & Experimental Cosmology

0 Years Experience
0 Publications
0 Major Projects

About Me

Passionate about understanding the dynamic universe through cutting-edge research

My Journey

I'm John Hood, an astronomer and current postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago. My work focuses on understanding the dynamic universe, with a particular interest in time-domain astronomy and the physics driving transient astrophysical phenomena.

I combine observational data with statistical and machine learning techniques to uncover patterns in variable and flaring sources. Passionate about both discovery and data, I aim to develop tools that push the boundaries of how we observe and interpret the cosmos.

Research Interests

Millimeter Transients (AGN) MKID and TES Detector Development Machine Learning & AI Astronomical Instrumentation Experimental Cosmology

Current Position

Heising-Simons Fellow
University of Chicago
2022 - Present
ERC 533, Chicago, IL

Research

Exploring the dynamic universe through cutting-edge observational techniques

SPT-Pol AGN Monitoring

SPT-Pol AGN Monitoring

Millimeter wavelength monitoring of Active Galactic Nuclei using South Pole Telescope data. Developing observational pipelines for AGN variability studies in the mm band.

AGN SPT Millimeter Astronomy
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MKID Detector Development

MKID Detector Development

Low loss microstrip materials with MKIDs for microwave applications. Characterizing dielectric loss of various microstrip materials and substrates.

Instrumentation MKIDs Detectors
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Blazar Analysis

Multi-wavelength Blazar Analysis

Studying multi-wavelength observations of Fermi bright blazars to search for optical and gamma-ray orphan flares using SMARTS and Fermi data.

Blazars Multi-wavelength Fermi
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Outreach & Media

Sharing astronomy and research through interviews, podcasts, and public engagement

Public Engagement

I'm passionate about making astronomy accessible to everyone. Through interviews, podcasts, and public talks, I share the excitement of astronomical research and the importance of scientific discovery with diverse audiences.

0 Media Appearances
0 Podcast Episodes
0 Years Outreach

Podcasts & Interviews

MENtality Unchained - "The Color of Astrophysics"

2022 - Podcast discussion on diversity in astrophysics

Listen
Starts With a Bang Podcast

2022 - AGNs from the South Pole discussion

Listen
Bad Astra Interview

2021 - Career journey and research insights

Watch

Articles & Features

Columbus Ledger Enquirer

2023 - "Nothing less than amazing" feature article

Read
APS News Profile

2023 - American Physical Society feature

Read
Nature Astronomy - "Black in cosmology"

2025 - Comment article on diversity in cosmology

Read

Academic Presentations

CU Boulder Friday Seminar

2024 - Research presentation on AGN monitoring

Watch
PhD Defense Presentation

2022 - Doctoral defense on multi-wavelength blazar analysis

Watch

Creative Projects

Astronomy Music Video

2016 - "I Stayed up late to watch the stars"

Watch

Get In Touch

Let's discuss research opportunities, collaborations, or just chat about astronomy

Contact Information

Office ERC 533, University of Chicago
Institution University of Chicago