Dr Maria Luisa Buzzo of Swinburne University of Technology has been awarded the 2026 AIP Bragg Gold Medal for outstanding PhD research into the origins and evolution of ultra-diffuse galaxies, for the thesis entitled "The Origins of Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies"

Ultra-diffuse galaxies are faint, low-surface-brightness galaxies whose origins have challenged standard models of galaxy formation. Luisa’s research has provided new insights into how these unusual galaxies form, evolve and interact with dark matter.

During her PhD, Luisa developed methods specifically designed to study ultra-diffuse galaxies, combining stellar populations, globular cluster systems and environmental information across large samples.

Her research showed that ultra-diffuse galaxies do not originate through a single formation process, but instead follow at least two distinct evolutionary pathways.

She also investigated dark matter-deficient dwarf galaxies, identifying common observable characteristics and developing a method to help find similar systems in current and future astronomical surveys. Her work also identified a likely progenitor system, providing an observational link to a possible formation mechanism for these unusual galaxies.

Working with data spanning ultraviolet to radio wavelengths, Luisa led much of the analysis and scientific interpretation underpinning the research and was first author on eight refereed papers arising from her thesis.

Her work provides new ways to test models of how low-mass galaxies form and evolve, while helping astronomers investigate the role of dark matter in shaping galaxies.

Luisa is one of 11 members recognised with 2026 AIP Awards for outstanding accomplishments in research, leadership, education and communication. Read more about the 2026 AIP Award recipients.

The 2026 AIP Awards will be presented at AIP Congress 2026 in Sydney this December.