Rate My Professor Enrique Lopez-Rodriguez

An extragalactic astronomer, Lopez-Rodriguez investigates the role of magnetic fields in galaxy evolution, active galactic nuclei, and star formation through infrared and radio polarimetric observations at highest angular resolutions. His work characterizes magnetic field strengths and structures in the multiphase interstellar medium, empirical relationships with star formation and supermassive black hole accretion, and dusty obscuring tori in AGN. He leads the SALSA SOFIA Legacy Program as PI (with Mao), mapping magnetic fields in galaxies including the Antennae Galaxies, NGC 1097, and M82. Recent studies include magnetic superhighways in starburst galaxy winds and JWST interferometric imaging of AGN tori. With 89 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 25, key works feature 'The magnetic field of the warped molecular disk of Centaurus A' (Nature Astronomy, 2021, Best SOFIA paper), 'Extragalactic Magnetism with SOFIA (SALSA Legacy Program)' series (ApJ, 2021-2023), and ALMA polarimetry of NGC 1068 (ApJ, 2020). He has secured over $2 million in grants as PI or US-PI for JWST Cycles 2-4, ALMA Cycles 8-11, SOFIA Cycles 2-9, and NASA programs. Lopez-Rodriguez contributed to commissioning HAWC+ on SOFIA, MMT-Pol, and CanariCam, and serves on TMT instrument teams. He delivered the Fred Kavli Plenary Lecture at the 238th AAS meeting in 2021 and supports underrepresented students through open mentorship.