Earth & Space
Tesla Jeltema named a 2026 American Physical Society Fellow
Jeltema’s work focuses on observational cosmology and particle astrophysics, including constraints on the nature of dark matter and dark energy and studies of the evolution of galaxies.
Physics professor Tesla Jeltema has worked extensively within large international collaborations throughout her career, and has long been committed to mentoring and inclusive community building.
Physics professor Tesla Jeltema has been elected a 2026 fellow by the American Physical Society’s Division of Astrophysics, citing her “major leadership roles in astrophysics and cosmology, numerous important contributions in several areas of astrophysics, and longstanding dedication to mentorship and the health of the field.”
At the University of California, Santa Cruz, Jeltema studies the formation and evolution of large-scale structure in the universe using observations covering a broad wavelength range and numerical simulations. She also serves as associate director of the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics, and was recently named director of the Cal-Bridge Doctoral Program.
Jeltema has made significant contributions to the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) in the scientific areas of galaxy clusters, dark matter, strong lensing, and commissioning through the Low Surface Brightness Science Unit. In January, she was elected by LSST Discovery Alliance members to serve in the leadership position of Science Collaborations Coordinator.
Across her career, Jeltema has worked extensively within large international collaborations, including Fermi-LAT, DES, DESC, and DESI. Her leadership experience spans collaboration governance, publication oversight, mentoring, and operations. In addition to her scientific leadership, Jeltema has long been committed to mentoring and inclusive community building. Her service includes leadership roles in programs that build STEM pathways and mentoring programs, organization of conferences supporting undergraduate participation in physics, and sustained involvement in departmental and divisional diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.