Pulsar Timer | Gravitational Wave Cartographer | Black Hole Spectroscopist | Science Communicator
Rowina Nathan is a postdoctoral researcher at the Australian National University, working in the Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics. Her research focuses on gravitational-wave astrophysics, with particular interests in black holes, neutron stars, and precision tests of general relativity using gravitational-wave observations. She continues to work on mapping the gravitational-wave background with pulsar timing arrays, following the development of new mapping techniques during her PhD for the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array.
More broadly, Rowina’s work centres on the development and application of statistical and data-analysis methods for extracting gravitational-wave signals and testing fundamental physics. Alongside her research, Rowina is engaged in science communication and outreach, having previously served as Social Media Coordinator for Monash Astrophysics. She shares her enthusiasm for space and physics with a broad public audience through social media, where her educational content has reached over 7 million views, and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM.
She is a member of the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array, OzGrav, the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, and the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array.
Astrophysicist with extensive experience in data analysis, machine learning, and statistical modelling. Proven track record of contributing to large-scale, data-driven projects and collaborating across international research teams. Skilled in quantitative analysis, programming, and cross-disciplinary communication.
Nathan, R. S., Miles, M. T., Ashton, G., Lasky, P. D., Thrane, E., Reardon, D. J., ... & Cameron, A. D. (2023). Improving pulsar-timing solutions through dynamic pulse fitting. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 523(3), 4405-4412.
Grunthal, K., Nathan, R. S., Thrane, E., Champion, D. J., Miles, M. T., Shannon, R. M., ... & Venkatraman Krishnan, V. (2025). The MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array: Maps of the gravitational wave sky with the 4.5-yr data release. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 536(2), 1501-1517.
I have a passion for graphic and web design. See some of my work below.