Paul Sutter

Paul M. Sutter is a theoretical cosmologist, science communicator, and U.S. Cultural Ambassador known for his work at the intersection of astrophysics and public engagement. Sutter serves as a research professor of theoretical cosmology at Stony Brook University's Institute for Advanced Computational Science and as a visiting professor at Barnard College, Columbia University. He earned a doctorate in physics as a Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed post-doctoral fellowships at Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris and Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste. His research focuses on cosmic voids, the cosmic microwave background, and methods for detecting the universe's first stars.

Sutter has published more than 60 academic papers on topics including the early universe and large-scale cosmic structures. He has delivered hundreds of seminars, colloquia, and conference presentations worldwide and serves on panels and committees, including as a consultant for the Department of Energy and as an external advisor for NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts program. Sutter received the James Corones Award in Leadership, Community Building and Communication from the Krell Institute.

Sutter is the author of three books: "Your Place in the Universe: Understanding Our Big, Messy Existence," which explores the scales of the cosmos and humanity's place within it; "How to Die in Space: A Journey Through Dangerous Astrophysical Phenomena," which examines the hazards of space exploration; and "Rescuing Science: Restoring Trust in an Age of Doubt," which addresses the relationship between science and public trust. "Your Place in the Universe" received a Publishers Weekly Starred Review, and "How to Die in Space" received a Kirkus Starred Review.

Sutter hosts science shows on television and digital media, including "How the Universe Works" on Science Channel, "Space Out" on Discovery, and "Edge of Knowledge" on Ars Technica. He appears regularly on NBC News, BBC News, CNN, and The Weather Channel. His podcast, "Ask a Spaceman," ranks among the top 5 percent of all podcasts globally. Sutter has consulted for television shows such as "Star Trek Discovery" and "Another Life," as well as for films, comic books, and stage productions. His essays have appeared in The New York Times, Scientific American, and Nautilus.

Sutter also works at the intersection of science and art. He wrote, produced, and narrated "Song of the Stars," a dance performance about the history of the universe that aired on PBS member stations and earned the Best Director award at the Escape Velocity Film Festival. He collaborated with Syren Modern Dance on "Ticktock," a stage production exploring the nature of time, presented at venues worldwide, including World Expo in Dubai. Sutter speaks at institutions such as Boston Museum of Science, Houston Museum of Science, Griffith Observatory, Frost Science Center, and King Abdullah University, addressing topics in physics, astronomy, cosmology, space exploration, science communication, and the integration of science and art.