Understanding how galaxies evolve means understanding the role of their central black holes. In the local Universe, we have a unique opportunity to study this relationship in detail. Active galactic nuclei (AGN)—the energetic signatures of growing supermassive black holes—can drive outflows, quench or trigger star formation, and reshape galactic structures. But how well do we really understand the long-term impact of AGN feedback in nearby galaxies?

 

As the eras of Cosmic Dawn and Cosmic Noon recede into the past, the local Universe becomes a vital laboratory. With rich multi-wavelength data from observatories like ALMA, Chandra, Hubble, and JWST, we can study AGN feedback with extraordinary resolution and contextual depth.

 

Feedback comes in many forms: from powerful jets in radio-loud AGN to winds from luminous quasars. These different modes interact with the interstellar and circumgalactic media in ways that depend not only on the black hole’s properties, but also on the galaxy’s structure, environment, and star-forming activity. In some systems, feedback shuts down star formation; in others, it may help trigger it. This complexity makes it hard to define a one-size-fits-all model for how feedback works.

 

My research focuses on this nuanced interplay—how AGN-driven processes manifest in a galaxy, alter star formation, and leave signatures we can trace across time and space. The goal is to piece together the bigger picture: is AGN feedback a universal driver of galaxy evolution, or is its influence more conditional, shaped by where and when it occurs?

 

By studying AGN and their host galaxies nearby, we’re not just looking at echoes of the past—we’re uncovering the processes that continue to shape the Universe today.