DoctorKarelle Siellez

Dr Karelle Siellez is an astrophysicist and Lecturer in Physics at the University of Tasmania. Her research focuses on transient and multi-messenger astrophysics, including gamma-ray bursts, kilonovae, supernovae, gravitational-wave counterparts, and rapid optical follow-up of short-lived cosmic explosions. Her work connects high-energy space missions, gravitational-wave observatories, and ground-based telescope networks to understand some of the most energetic events in the Universe.

Before joining UTAS, Dr Siellez contributed to major international collaborations including LIGO/Virgo and Fermi/GBM. She developed and led work on subthreshold gamma-ray burst searches associated with gravitational-wave events, contributing to the scientific context of the first joint gravitational-wave and electromagnetic detection, GW170817/GRB 170817A. This discovery transformed the field by confirming that neutron-star mergers can produce both gravitational waves and light, and that they are sites of heavy-element production in the Universe. As part of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, she shared in the 2017 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

At UTAS, Dr Siellez is developing a research, teaching and engagement program centred on southern-hemisphere transient astronomy. Her work aims to strengthen the role of Tasmanian optical facilities in rapid follow-up of gamma-ray bursts, kilonovae and gravitational-wave counterparts, while creating student pathways into real astronomical research. She is involved in national and international initiatives linked to SVOM, Rubin Observatory/LSST, OzGrav, robotic telescope networks and time-domain astronomy.

Dr Siellez is also a committed science communicator who connects physics with storytelling, music, visual art and public engagement. She has delivered public talks and outreach activities across Australia, France, French Polynesia and the United States, including schools, festivals, public lectures and interdisciplinary science-art events. Her engagement work includes gravitational-wave sonification, astronomy-inspired painting, dark-sky advocacy, and public programs highlighting the scientific, cultural and environmental importance of Tasmania’s skies.