Computational Astrophysics
I work on modeling galaxies for future surveys, such as Roman, with a focus on accurate modeling of emission lines and calibrating models using the Semi-Analytic Model Galacticus. My research interests also include modeling dwarf galaxies and exploring the impact of major mergers on stellar streams and their properties. I am passionate about connecting science with art.
Postdoctoral Researcher, NASA Open Universe Project · Carnegie Observatories, Pasadena, CA · Ph.D. Texas Christian University (Advisor: Dr. Mia Sauda Bovill)
Recent Updates
Papers, talks, and highlights from ongoing work.
A follow-up to the Cen A satellites paper, disentangling environmental vs. internal quenching pathways in the Centaurus A group using Galacticus.
We show that the LMC’s infall strongly perturbs stellar stream tracks in a Milky Way analogue, producing apparent gaps that mimic dark-matter substructure signatures.
Presented physically motivated atomic emission line models built in Galacticus, targeting Roman, Euclid, and LSST-era near-IR spectroscopic surveys.
Organised the Art & Science Exhibit at the Carnegie Observatories annual public open house, Pasadena, CA.
“Devouring Dwarf Galaxies with Galacticus” — invited seminars on semi-analytic modeling of the Local Volume satellite population.
Co-authored generative model for galaxy SFHs spanning wide-field surveys; contributed dwarf galaxy validation.
Science & Art
When I am not doing science, I love creating science illustrations.
Curriculum Vitae
Full academic record — positions, publications, talks, awards, and service.
Download full CV (PDF)The Observatories of the Carnegie Institution for Science, Pasadena, CA
Improving and developing atomic emission line models in Galacticus for JWST, Roman, Euclid, and LSST predictions. Developing interactive 3D scientific visualizations for astronomical datasets.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Advisor: Dr. Mia Sauda Bovill · Modeling dwarf galaxies around the Milky Way and Centaurus A using semi-analytic models (SAMs) of galaxy formation.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Adjunct Faculty)
Center for Computational Astrophysics, Flatiron Institute, New York
Exploring effects of major mergers on stellar streams · Mentors: Dr. Tjitske Starkenburg, Dr. Kathryn Johnston, Dr. Emily Cunningham
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Modeling Dwarf Satellites of the Milky Way
Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX
Investigating nature of dwarf galaxies using UVBIR photometry · Math Tutor, Teaching Assistant
In Review
S. Weerasooriya et al. · in review
Accepted / Published
S. Weerasooriya, T. Starkenburg, E.C. Cunningham · The Open Journal of Astrophysics 9, 26 · Scholar
A. Alarcon, A.P. Hearin, M.R. Becker, G. Beltz-Mohrmann, A. Benson, ..., S. Weerasooriya et al. · arXiv:2510.27604 · Scholar
S. Weerasooriya, M.S. Bovill, M.A. Taylor, A.J. Benson, C. Leahy · ApJ 968 (2), 78 · 8 citations · Scholar
N. Ahvazi, A. Benson, L.V. Sales, E.O. Nadler, S. Weerasooriya, X. Du et al. · MNRAS 529 (4), 3387–3407 · 44 citations · Scholar
S. Weerasooriya, M.S. Bovill, A. Benson, A.M. Musick, M. Ricotti · ApJ 948 (2), 87 · 22 citations · Scholar
B.W. Holwerda, S. Phillipps, S. Weerasooriya, M.S. Bovill, S. Brough et al. · MNRAS 526 (3), 4575–4584 · Scholar
In Preparation
S. Weerasooriya et al. · in prep
S. Weerasooriya et al. · in prep
A. Vazquez, S. Weerasooriya, A. Benson · in prep
Invited
Galaxy Group Talk, University of Arizona · University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka · Pasadena City College
University of Maryland College Park · Pomona College
Contributed
AAS 248 — Special Session
SoCalDM Workshop, University of California Irvine
GalFRESCA 2024, Carnegie Observatories · Roman 2024, CALTECH · STScI Spring Symposium
AAS 241 · GalFRESCA 2023, UCR
Galactic Dynamics Summer Research Symposium, CCA, New York
“Distribution of Black Hole Accretion Rates in Nearby Galaxies: A Semi-Analytic Modeling Approach”
“Unravelling the Dynamics of Stellar Streams in Merging Galaxies”
“Warm or Cold Dark Matter? A Love-Heat Relationship in the JWST Era”
Texas Christian University (Spring 2021 & Spring 2022)
Midwestern State University
Midwestern State University
@astronomythroughart · Public outreach through astronomical art and visualization
Carnegie Observatories, Pasadena, CA
Educating about women in science throughout history
S. Weerasooriya, T. Starkenburg, E.C. Cunningham · The Open Journal of Astrophysics 9, 26 · Scholar
S. Weerasooriya, A. Benson, A. Robertson · AAS Meeting Abstracts 248, 308.04 · Scholar
A. Alarcon, A.P. Hearin, M.R. Becker, ..., S. Weerasooriya, et al. · arXiv:2510.27604 · Scholar
S. Weerasooriya, M.S. Bovill, M.A. Taylor, A.J. Benson, C. Leahy · ApJ 968 (2), 78 · 8 citations · Scholar
N. Ahvazi, A. Benson, L.V. Sales, E.O. Nadler, S. Weerasooriya, X. Du, et al. · MNRAS 529 (4), 3387–3407 · 44 citations · Scholar
S. Weerasooriya, M.S. Bovill, A. Benson, A.M. Musick, M. Ricotti · ApJ 948 (2), 87 · 22 citations · Scholar
B.W. Holwerda, S. Phillipps, S. Weerasooriya, M.S. Bovill, S. Brough, et al. · MNRAS 526 (3), 4575–4584 · Scholar
Dwarf galaxies · Semi-analytic models
