Profile

Biography

Dr. Benjamin L. Davis is an assistant professor of astrophysics in the Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science Department at Missouri State University. His research examines how galaxies and their central black holes form and evolve together. He studies galaxy structure and dynamics, spiral galaxies, and black hole mass scaling relations, and he applies data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and causal discovery to uncover the physical mechanisms behind patterns observed in the universe.

Davis earned dual bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics, along with a minor in music, from Pittsburg State University and a Ph.D. in Space and Planetary Sciences from the University of Arkansas. Before joining Missouri State, he held teaching and research appointments at the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech University, conducted postdoctoral research at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, and served as a fellow and research associate at New York University Abu Dhabi. Born in Joplin, Missouri, he returned to his birth state in 2026 to teach, mentor student researchers, and build an active astrophysics research program. He is also an active violinist and violist who performs with the Missouri State Symphony Orchestra.

Details

Education

• PhD, Space & Planetary Sciences, 2015, University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR
• BS, Physics, 2008, Pittsburg State University – Pittsburg, KS
• BS, Mathematics, 2008, Pittsburg State University – Pittsburg, KS

Teaching

• AST 113 – Modern Astronomy
• PHY 319 – Mathematics for Science and Engineering I

Professional experience

• Fellow of the Center for Astrophysics & Space Science and Research Associate, New York University Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (2020-2026)
• Postdoctoral Fellow of the Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology – Melbourne, Australia (2016-2020)
• Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, Arkansas Tech University – Russellville, AR (2015-2016)
• Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR (2015)

Research and professional interests

• Galaxy structure, formation, and evolution
• Coevolution of galaxies and their central supermassive black holes
• Intermediate-mass black holes and black hole mass scaling relations
• Spiral galaxy morphology and dynamics
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, symbolic regression and causal discovery in astrophysics
• Astroinformatics, data science and scientific computing
• Gravitational-wave astrophysics and next-generation observatories
• Astronomy education and student research mentorship
• Violin and viola performance, orchestral music and chamber music

Additional resources

• Personal website
• Curriculum Vitae
• Google Scholar Profile
• NASA ADS Library