Connecticut, USA: Priyamvada Natarajan, an astrophysicist at Yale University, has been honored with the 2025 Dannie Heineman Prize for Astrophysics, recognizing her two decades of pioneering research in the fields of black holes and dark matter. The prize, worth $10,000, acknowledges Natarajan's significant contributions to astrophysics, which continue to shape the field as new telescopes explore the universe.

The Heineman Prize, awarded jointly by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the American Institute of Physics (AIP), celebrates outstanding achievements by mid-career astrophysicists. Natarajan, the Joseph S. and Sophia S. Fruton Professor and chair of astronomy at Yale is the first faculty member from the institution to receive this prestigious award since its inception in 1980.

Expressing her gratitude, Natarajan said, "It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the AAS and AIP. I’ve been fortunate to work at the cutting edge of astronomy and astrophysics during a time when new data allows us to test and refine theoretical ideas quickly."

Natarajan’s groundbreaking research on black holes has transformed the understanding of their formation and role in galaxy evolution. Her innovative use of gravitational lensing to study dark matter has provided vital insights into this mysterious component of the universe.

Since joining Yale in 2000, Natarajan has also led the Franke Program in Science and the Humanities. In addition to this prestigious award, she has earned numerous accolades, including fellowships from Guggenheim and Radcliffe. In 2024, Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people.