Zara Randriamanakoto, PhD
RESEARCH ASTRONOMER
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KANTY ASTRONOMY RESEARCH GROUP
SHORT BIO
I am a research staff astronomer at the South African Astronomical Observatory. My research topics mainly revolve on multi-wavelength investigation of young massive star clusters in interacting and collisional ring galaxies. I am also interested in the life cycle of radio AGN.
I am the team leader of Kanty Astronomy Research Group (KARG). We are an extragalactic astronomy group affiliated with SAAO and the University of Antananarivo.
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I grew up in Antsirabe, Madagascar and graduated from the University of Antananarivo with a BSc Honours (Maîtrise) in Physics Energetics. I then moved to South Africa to pursue postgraduate studies and postdoctoral research fellowships in the field of Astronomy.
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I am passionate about science engagement, the promotion of Girls and Women in STEM, and especially the advancement of astronomy in all its aspects in my home country (Madagascar) and Africa.
The Very Large Array (VLA), NRAO New Mexico USA
June 2016; credit: Iniyan Natarajan
Education
Employment
PhD in Astronomy, 2015
University of Cape Town, South Africa
Thesis title: "Formation of Young Massive Clusters: a high-resolution multi-wavelength study of intensely star-forming galaxies"
Thesis Advisor: Prof Petri Väisänen, SAAO
Research Astronomer, 2021 - present
South African Astronomical Observatory
Visiting lecturer, 2016 - present
University of Antananarivo
PDP Postdoctoral Researcher, 2018 - 2021
South African Astronomical Observatory
MSc in Astrophysics and Space Science, 2011
University of Cape Town
Degree awarded with distinction
Top achiever of the coursework component
SARAO Postdoctoral Researcher, 2015 - 2018
University of Cape Town
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BSc Honours in Astrophysics and Space Science, 2008
University of Cape Town
BSc Honours in Physics Energetics, 2007
University of Antananarivo, Madagascar
BSc in Physics, 2006
University of Antananarivo
Top 50 Women Forbes Afrique Powerlist 2025
Awarded by Forbes Afrique
International Astronomical Union
Chair, National Astronomy Committee, 2018 - present
National Coordinator, IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach, 2018 - 2024
Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans 2021
Awarded by Mail & Guardian, South Africa
2020 L'Oréal - UNESCO For Women In Science
Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talent Program
Awarded by UNESCO - L'oréal Foundation
Madagascar Personalities of the Year 2021
Awarded by Mémento Magazine
Selected Professional services
African Astronomical Society
Science Committee, 2019 - present
Executive Committee Officer, 2019 - 2022
Chair, Early Career Working Group, 2019 - 2022
Malagasy Astronomical Society
Founding President, 2016 - present
Program & Capacity Building Officer, 2017 - present
Selected Awards & Distinctions
2023 National Geographic Explorer
Awarded by National Geographic Society