Dr. Jenna Cann
Research Associate · Non-Tenure Track
Center for Space Science and Technology
They/Them/Theirs/Themselves
About
I received my B.S. in Astronomy from George Mason University, and my PhD in Physics from George Mason University working with Dr. Shobita Satyapal, where I was an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Upon graduation, I began my NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship at NASA Goddard working with Dr. Kim Weaver. I am now a support scientist for the XMM-Newton Guest Observer Facility. In addition to my work with XMM, I have experience in mission concept development, both on the science side (e.g., developing the AGN science cases for the Line Emission Mapper (LEM) probe mission concept and the Accretion Explorer X-ray interferometer mission concept) and the inclusive team-building side (e.g., as the EDIA co-lead of LEM).
Research interests
My research is primarily in multi-wavelength studies of metal-poor dwarf galaxies, which serve as local analogs to the earliest galaxies that we see at high redshifts. I also have experience in theoretical and observational studies of active galaxies, and particularly in testing the efficacy of AGN identification diagnostics in host galaxy environments where traditional diagnostics tend to fail.
Teaching interests
N/A
Education
Presentations
- NASA-PEER: THE POST-BACCALAUREATE CONSTELLATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT AND EMPOWER EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS IN SPACE SCIENCE 2025