Olivier Gilbert

Research

List of papers: NASA/ADS

1. Black Holes and their Host Galaxies at 5<z<6.5

I am currently researching high-redshift broad line active galactic nuclei (BLAGN) using the James Webb Space Telescope. BLAGN are black holes surrounded by gas and dust, located at the center of some galaxies. Their broad line spectrum enables us to calculate the mass of their black hole and study the relationship between the masses of a black hole and their host galaxy in the early universe. This is crucial to learn about how this BH-Host relation formed and evolved to be what it is today in the local universe.

2. Quasi-Periodic Eruption Host Galaxies

In my research on Quasi-Periodic Eruption (QPE) host galaxies, I analyzed their morphological properties to better understand the environments where these rare transient events occur. By comparing QPE hosts to other galaxy populations, I investigated potential connections between QPEs and tidal disruption events (TDEs). My findings, presented in a submitted paper (arxiv.org/abs/2409.10486), suggest that QPEs are likely linked to TDEs, shedding light on the physical mechanisms behind these eruptions and their role in galactic nuclei.

3. Changing-Look Quasars

In my research on changing-look quasars (CLQs), I investigated the structure of accretion flows in low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGN) by analyzing their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) across multiple epochs. Using UV imaging from HST, X-ray data from Chandra, and optical spectroscopy, I examined how these quasars evolve at low Eddington ratios. My findings, presented in a submitted paper (arxiv.org/abs/2508.01933), reveal that CLQs exhibit a "harder-when-brighter" SED behavior, similar to X-ray binaries fading to quiescence, strengthening the analogy between AGN accretion flows and stellar-mass black hole systems.

About me

I'm Olivier and I am pursuing an astronomy PhD at the University of Michigan. I am researching high-z BLAGN in the COSMOS field using JWST data, under the supervision of Dr. Jinyi Yang. I previously did 3 summer internships under the supervision of Dr. John Ruan at Bishop's University, while completing my BSc in physics at Université Laval in Québec, Canada. In my free time, I love playing basketball and volleyball, going on hikes, traveling to new places with my girlfriend, and playing the piano. I enjoy staying active and experiencing new things.

Observing

I believe observing is a great way to understand and learn more about how the data we use everyday is collected, and how to make better use of it. I first observed with amateur telescope (8" Celestron Nexstar), and have since had the chance to observe with Magellan Baade (6.5m, 2 nights remote) and Keck (10m, 2 half-nights).

Contact

email: ogilbert@umich.edu

phone: +1 (734) 209-0299

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