Childhood dream became a journey for Iranian astrophysicist who is presenting webinar

A childhood spent dreaming of space travel was the beginning for a journey that landed Dr. Keyvan Ghanbari in The Rocket City, in a field that involves NASA and exploring space but far from his small hometown of Hadishahr, 120 km north of Tabriz, the capital of one of the northwestern provinces in Iran that’s near the border of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A postdoctoral research assistant III in the Department of Space Science at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), astrophysicist Dr. Ghanbari presents his work on studying collisional and weakly collisional shock structures in the very local interstellar medium in a new webinar that’s part of a bimonthly series called Tomorrow’s PSE Leaders, sponsored by Alabama’s Future Technologies & enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP) project.

A five-year, $20 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant funds FTPP, which is a statewide coalition of nine universities and a research corporation.

“My primary research role as a postdoc entails the examination of shock structures within the very local interstellar medium through fluid models, with a particular emphasis on investigating the impact of particle collisions on shock characteristics,” he says.

“Additionally, I serve as the scientific coordinator of the International Space Weather Camp, an internship and summer program supported by FTPP. Leading the ISWC program has been a privilege, allowing me to facilitate the learning and growth of aspiring students eager to delve into the realm of space plasma physics.”

gazing at the night sky

Although he didn’t know his destination then, Dr. Ghanbari’s trip to Huntsville from Iran started out in his early formative years.

“Like many children, my childhood aspiration was to become an astronaut,” Dr. Ghanbari says.

“I vividly recall eagerly anticipating the visits of my cousins from Canada, who would kindly ask me over the phone what gift I desired, and my immediate request was for books from NASA,” he says. “I would often retreat to the balcony of our home, gazing at the night sky, pondering the mysteries hidden deep within it, and envisioning myself embarking on celestial adventures aboard a spacecraft.”

Growing up, Dr. Ghanbari says that his parents played an instrumental role in fostering his scientific interests.

“Their unwavering support and encouragement served as a constant source of motivation, propelling me towards academic excellence,” he says.

“They wholeheartedly endorsed my extracurricular endeavors, ensuring that I had access to resources and opportunities to explore and expand my knowledge in areas of personal interest. Their belief in the importance of education and pursuit of one’s passions instilled within me a sense of determination and resilience, guiding me through the challenges and triumphs of my educational journey.”

The collective support and guidance of his family, educators and mentors paved the way for his academic achievements and facilitated his transition from a curious young student to a dedicated scholar on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe, Dr. Ghanbari says.

“Additionally, I am indebted to several educators and mentors who left an indelible mark on my academic trajectory. Their guidance, encouragement and mentorship were invaluable in shaping my intellectual pursuits and nurturing my burgeoning scientific interests. Notably, Dr. Mahdi Khakian Ghomi, assistant professor of physics and energy engineering at Tehran Polytechnic, whose passion for astrophysics ignited my fascination with the cosmos and proved instrumental in my pursuit of advanced studies in cosmology.”

striving to emigrate

His desire to expand his understanding of the universe led Dr. Ghanbari to decide while in high school that he would strive to emigrate to the United States.

“My proactive preparations and research commenced during my Master of Science program at Tehran Polytechnic between 2012 and 2013,” he says. “Through meticulous exploration of institutions renowned for their excellence in space science programs, I discovered the Department of Space Science at UAH, recognized as one of the nation’s premier programs.”

The department’s close collaboration with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center fulfilled his longstanding childhood dream to be associated with that administration.

“Subsequently, I applied for the program in 2016, was admitted and have since been affiliated with the department for nearly seven years, commencing in 2017.”

That process was not quite as clearcut or easy as it may seem. Once admitted to UAH, Dr. Ghanbari applied for a student visa at the U.S. embassy in Armenia. His original admission was for the fall 2016 semester but delays in visa processing deferred it to the spring 2017 semester.

“Honestly, the process was not devoid of challenges,” he says. “Foremost, I owe immense gratitude to my parents and brothers for their unwavering support throughout this endeavor.”

Once he arrived in the U.S., Dr. Ghanbari says numerous individuals extended their kindness and aid during his student years, notably Parisa Mostafavi, a former Iranian student in the Department of Space Science, and her husband, Vahid, who provided invaluable assistance even before his arrival.

“Moreover, Michael Terres and Nic Donders, cherished friends whom I consider akin to American brothers, offered invaluable support,” he says. “Juan Alonso Guzman, another esteemed friend, continues to collaborate with me on various projects within the Department of Space Science. My heartfelt appreciation extends to my wonderful wife Kimia Moshiri, a beacon of joy and support in my life’s journey.”

postdoctoral position

Several months prior to achieving his doctorate in 2022, Dr. Ghanbari began exploring prospective career opportunities. Dr. Gary Zank, the Aerojet Rocketdyne chair of the Department of Space Science, offered him a postdoctoral position.

“Collaboratively, we delineated the scientific objectives and my responsibilities in this capacity,” Dr. Ghanbari says.

“Throughout my doctoral studies, my research predominantly focused on numerical simulations of solar wind and large-scale structures therein. The forthcoming project associated with this position intrigued me due to its theoretical nature, presenting an opportunity to delve deeper into various models elucidating space plasma phenomena spanning from the solar corona to the heliosphere’s outer boundaries.”

The work is rewarding, Dr. Ghanbari says.

“The most enthralling aspect of our work lies in unraveling the intricacies of space plasma physics, observing how theoretical constructs effectively encapsulate physical phenomena occurring within the vast expanse of space,” he says. “The convergence of theory and empirical data, garnered from spacecraft operating millions of miles distant, serves as a testament to our collective understanding of the universe’s fundamental mechanisms.”