Parisa Mostafavi

Dr. Parisa Mostafavi is a senior space physicist in the Solar and Space Physics Group within APL’s Space Exploration Sector. Her research spans both the inner and outer heliosphere, with a central focus on collisionless shocks and the acceleration and heating of thermal and energetic particles. Dr. Mostafavi serves as principal investigator on several NASA and National Science Foundation-funded research projects and is a recognized subject-matter expert in heliophysics. She has led studies using data from Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, and New Horizons, analyzing shock waves, particle behavior of thermal and nonthermal pickup ions (PUIs), and wave–particle interactions. Her work provides new insights into the evolution of shocks and PUIs throughout the heliosphere. She is the author of numerous journal articles.

Beyond her research, Dr. Mostafavi actively contributes to the scientific community through leadership roles. She serves on the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Union Medals, Awards, and Prizes (UMAP) Committee and is a member of the AGU Space Physics and Aeronomy Early Career Leadership Advisory Committee. She is director of the “Evolution of PUIs” team within Solar wind with Hydrogen Ion charge Exchange and Large-Scale Dynamics (SHIELD), a NASA Diversify, Realize, Integrate, Venture, Educate (DRIVE) Science Center. Dr. Mostafavi has received multiple awards and competitive funding for her contributions to heliophysics research.