Clemson University
Curriculum Vitae
Jonathan Zrake
Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy · Clemson University · jzrake@clemson.edu
Professional Experience
Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Position: Associate Professor
Dates: February 2020 - Present
Concentration: Multi-messenger and transient astrophysics
Columbia University, New York, NY
Position: Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Supervisor: Dr. Andrei Beloborodov
Dates: February 2017 - February 2020
Concentration: Binary neutron star mergers, gamma-ray burst prompt emission
Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA
Position: Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow
Supervisors: Dr. Roger Blandford and Dr. Tom Abel
Dates: September 2013 - January 2017
Concentration: Turbulence, magnetic reconnection, pulsar wind nebulae
Education
New York University, New York, NY
Degree: Ph.D. in Physics
Position: Graduate student, James Arthur Fellow
Thesis advisor: Dr. Andrew MacFadyen
Dates: July 2007 - August 2013
Concentration: Computational astrophysics, relativistic magnetohydrodynamics
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Degree: B.S. in Physics
Undergraduate advisor: Dr. John Hughes
Dates: September 2002 - June 2007
Concentration: Observational X-ray astronomy, supernova remnants
Publications
Zrake in bold; Clemson graduate students and postdocs are underlined.
Preprints
  1. D. Garain, J. Zrake, Z. Haiman
    arXiv:2607.08832 (2026)
  2. A. Nair, J. Zrake
    arXiv:2606.28499 (2026)
  3. B. Amend, E. R. Coughlin, J. Zrake
    arXiv:2606.02691 (2026)
  4. B. Amend, C. Lagomarsino, E. R. Coughlin, J. Zrake
    arXiv:2605.16490 (2026)
  5. Z. Haiman, C. Xin, T. Bogdanović, P. Amaro Seoane, M. Bonetti, J. A. Casey-Clyde, M. Charisi, M. Colpi et al.
    arXiv:2306.14990 (2023)
  6. R. Blandford, W. East, K. Nalewajko, Y. Yuan, J. Zrake
    arXiv:1511.07515 (2015)
Since joining Clemson
  1. L. Betancourt, A. MacFadyen, J. Zrake
    ApJ 1005, 1 (2026)
  2. M. Clyburn, J. Zrake
    MNRAS 548, 1 (2026)
  3. L. M. Krauth, J. Davelaar, Z. Haiman, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    MNRAS 543, 3 (2025)
  4. P. Peñil, M. Ajello, S. Buson, A. Domı́nguez, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, A. Rico, S. Adhikari, J. Zrake
    MNRAS 541, 4 (2025)
  5. M. Clyburn, J. Zrake
    MNRAS 539, 2 (2025)
  6. C. Tiede, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen, Z. Haiman
    ApJ 984, 2 (2025)
  7. J. Zrake, M. Clyburn, S. Feyan
    MNRAS 537, 4 (2025)
  8. C. M. F. Mingarelli, L. Blecha, T. Bogdanović, M. Charisi, S. Chen, A. Escala, B. Goncharov, M. J. Graham et al.
    Nature Astronomy 9 (2025)
  9. S. DeLaurentiis, Z. Haiman, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, L. M. Krauth, J. Davelaar, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    ApJ 980, 1 (2025)
  10. P. Duffell, A. J. Dittmann, D. J. D'Orazio, A. Franchini, K. M. Kratter, A. B. T. Penzlin, E. Ragusa, M. Siwek et al.
    ApJ 970, 2 (2024)
  11. R. Valli, C. Tiede, A. Vigna-Gómez, J. Cuadra, M. Siwek, J. Ma, D. J. D'Orazio, J. Zrake et al.
    A&A 688 (2024)
  12. L. M. Krauth, J. Davelaar, Z. Haiman, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    Phys Rev D 109, 10 (2024)
  13. S. Adhikari, P. Peñil, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, A. Domı́nguez, M. Ajello, S. Buson, A. Rico, J. Zrake
    ApJ 965, 2 (2024)
  14. S. K. Jensen, S. D. Brittain, A. Banzatti, J. R. Najita, J. S. Carr, J. Kern, J. Kozdon, J. Zrake et al.
    Astronomical Journal 167, 3 (2024)
  15. P. Peñil, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, M. Ajello, A. Domı́nguez, S. Buson, J. Otero-Santos, L. Marcotulli, N. Torres-Albà et al.
    MNRAS 527, 4 (2024)
  16. J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen, Z. Haiman
    ApJ 962, 1 (2024)
  17. D. A. Paradiso, E. R. Coughlin, J. Zrake, D. R. Pasham
    ApJ 961, 2 (2024)
  18. D. Paradiso, E. Coughlin, J. Zrake, D. R. R. Pasham
    American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #243 243 (2024)
  19. L. M. Krauth, J. Davelaar, Z. Haiman, J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    MNRAS 526, 4 (2023)
  20. B. Amend, J. Zrake, D. Hartmann
    AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division 20 (2023)
  21. J. R. Westernacher-Schneider, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen, Z. Haiman
    Phys Rev D 106, 10 (2022)
  22. B. Amend, J. Zrake, D. H. Hartmann
    ApJ 939, 1 (2022)
  23. C. Tiede, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen, Z. Haiman
    ApJ 932, 1 (2022)
  24. M. DuPont, A. MacFadyen, J. Zrake
    ApJL 931, 2 (2022)
  25. A. Hajela, R. Margutti, J. S. Bright, K. Alexander, B. Metzger, V. Nedora, A. Kathirgamaraju, B. Margalit et al.
    ApJL 927, 1 (2022)
  26. E. R. Coughlin, J. Zrake
    ApJ 927, 2 (2022)
  27. M. Ajello, L. Baldini, J. Ballet, G. Barbiellini, D. Bastieri, R. Bellazzini, A. Berretta, E. Bissaldi et al.
    ApJ 921, 2 (2021)
  28. N. Sridhar, J. Zrake, B. D. Metzger, L. Sironi, D. Giannios
    MNRAS 501, 3 (2021)
  29. J. Zrake, C. Tiede, A. MacFadyen, Z. Haiman
    ApJL 909, 1 (2021)
  30. A. Hajela, R. Margutti, J. Bright, K. Alexander, W. Fong, E. Berger, R. Chornock, D. L. Coppejans et al.
    GRB Coordinates Network 29375 (2021)
  31. P. Duffell, D. D'Orazio, A. Derdzinski, Z. Haiman, A. MacFadyen, A. Rosen, J. Zrake
    ApJ 901, 1 (2020)
  32. C. Tiede, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen, Z. Haiman
    ApJ 900, 1 (2020)
Prior to joining Clemson
  1. A. Hajela, R. Margutti, K. Alexander, A. Kathirgamaraju, A. Baldeschi, C. Guidorzi, D. Giannios, W. Fong et al.
    ApJL 886, 1 (2019)
  2. J. Zrake, A. Beloborodov, C. Lundman
    ApJ 885, 1 (2019)
  3. W. Fong, P. Blanchard, K. Alexander, J. Strader, R. Margutti, A. Hajela, V. A. Villar, Y. Wu et al.
    ApJL 883, 1 (2019)
  4. X. Li, J. Zrake, A. Beloborodov
    ApJ 881, 1 (2019)
  5. P. Alves, J. Zrake, F. Fiuza
    Physics of Plasmas 26, 7 (2019)
  6. R. Chornock, P. Cowperthwaite, R. Margutti, D. Milisavljevic, K. D. Alexander, I. Andreoni, I. Arcavi, A. Baldeschi et al.
    Bulletin of the AAS 51, 3 (2019)
  7. P. Alves, J. Zrake, F. Fiuza
    AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division 17 (2019)
  8. J. Zrake
    APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts 2019 (2019)
  9. P. Alves, J. Zrake, F. Fiuza
    Phys Rev Lett 121, 24 (2018)
  10. J. Zrake, X. Xie, A. MacFadyen
    ApJL 865, 1 (2018)
  11. K. Alexander, R. Margutti, P. Blanchard, W. Fong, E. Berger, A. Hajela, T. Eftekhari, R. Chornock et al.
    ApJL 863, 2 (2018)
  12. X. Xie, J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    ApJ 863, 1 (2018)
  13. R. Margutti, K. Alexander, X. Xie, L. Sironi, B. Metzger, A. Kathirgamaraju, W. Fong, P. Blanchard et al.
    ApJL 856, 1 (2018)
  14. L. Ferrario, A. Melatos, J. Zrake
    The Strongest Magnetic Fields in the Universe 54 (2018)
  15. J. Zrake, J. Arons
    ApJ 847, 1 (2017)
  16. I. Butsky, J. Zrake, J. Kim, H. Yang, T. Abel
    ApJ 843, 2 (2017)
  17. Y. Yuan, K. Nalewajko, J. Zrake, W. East, R. Blandford
    ApJ 828, 2 (2016)
  18. K. Nalewajko, J. Zrake, Y. Yuan, W. East, R. Blandford
    ApJ 826, 2 (2016)
  19. J. Zrake
    ApJ 823, 1 (2016)
  20. J. Zrake, W. East
    ApJ 817, 2 (2016)
  21. J. Kates-Harbeck, S. Totorica, J. Zrake, T. Abel
    Journal of Computational Physics 304 (2016)
  22. Y. Yuan, K. Nalewajko, R. Blandford, W. East, J. Zrake
    American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #227 227 (2016)
  23. L. Ferrario, A. Melatos, J. Zrake
    Space Science Reviews 191, 1-4 (2015)
  24. W. East, J. Zrake, Y. Yuan, R. Blandford
    Phys Rev Lett 115, 9 (2015)
  25. B. Giacomazzo, J. Zrake, P. Duffell, A. MacFadyen, R. Perna
    ApJ 809, 1 (2015)
  26. R. Blandford, Y. Yuan, J. Zrake
    American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #225 225 (2015)
  27. J. Zrake
    ApJL 794, 2 (2014)
  28. S. Totorica, J. Kates-Harbeck, J. Zrake, T. Abel
    APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts 2014 (2014)
  29. J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    ApJL 769, 2 (2013)
  30. J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    ApJL 763, 1 (2013)
  31. J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #221 221 (2013)
  32. J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    ApJ 744, 1 (2012)
  33. J. Zrake, A. MacFadyen
    Gamma Ray Bursts 2010 1358 (2011)
Selected Invited Talks
  1. Future of high-performance computing for astrophysics theory, Unsolved Problems in Astrophysics and Cosmology in Vienna, July 7th, 2026
  2. Joint Electromagnetic and Gravitational Wave Signatures of Massive Black Hole Binaries, EAS 2026 in Lausanne (LISA preparatory science symposium), July 2nd, 2026
  3. Time-evolving disks around merging binaries, Purdue Workshop on Relativistic Plasma Astrophysics, May 12th, 2026
  4. Signatures of binary-hosting AGNs, Harvard CfA HEAD Seminar, February 25, 2026
  5. Predicting the EM and GW signatures of massive black hole binaries with AI coding agents, Harvard BHI Colloquium, December 1, 2025
  6. Variability signatures in binary AGN, Georgia Tech CRA Colloquium, October 2, 2025
  7. EM signatures of massive binary black holes, MASC, April 12, 2025
  8. Joint EM and GW signatures of massive binary black holes, College of Charleston Colloquium, March 20, 2025
  9. Joint EM and GW signatures of massive binary black holes, Clemson University Colloquium, October 17, 2024
  10. Joint EM and GW signatures of massive binary black holes, Syracuse University Colloquium, October 10, 2024
  11. Gas-driven orbital evolution, Yale University, November 19, 2023
  12. Binary black holes, Clemson Rising Star Symposium, September 28, 2022
  13. Purdue University, Purdue University, May 10, 2022
  14. Orbital evolution and EM signatures of eccentric binaries, KITP, Building Bridges Workshop, March 24, 2022
  15. Accreting black hole binaries, and GPUs, UGA Center for Simulation Physics Colloquium, March 15, 2022
  16. Gas-driven orbital evolution of accreting binaries, CfA Hernquist Group Meeting, Harvard, February 18, 2022
  17. Gamma-ray bursts and binary neutron star mergers, University of Rochester Colloquium, October 21, 2019
  18. How jets shine -- relativistic turbulence and current-driven instabilities, Boston University Colloquium, March 18, 2019
  19. Relativistic turbulence and multi-messenger astrophysics, Perimeter Institute Gravity Seminar, November 8, 2018
  20. The GRB-170817A afterglow -- simulations, light curves, and radio images, KIPAC Tea Talk, Stanford, November 6, 2018
  21. Efficient particle acceleration by the helical kink mode in AGN jets, CCA Compact Object Group Meeting, Flatiron Institute, October 25, 2018
  22. The Crab nebula as a pulsar wind nebula, KIPAC Tea Talk, Stanford, November 1, 2016
  23. Electromagnetic dissipation in astrophysical outflows, HEDLA Conference, May 20, 2016
Courses Taught at Clemson
  1. Special Topics in Relativity PHYS4750/6750 (Fall 2020)
  2. Galactic astrophysics ASTR3030 (Spring 2021)
  3. General Relativity PHYS9660 (Fall 2021)
  4. Electromagnetism II PHYS4420/6420 (Spring 2022)
  5. Special Topics in Relativity PHYS4750/6750 (Fall 2022)
  6. Galactic Astrophysics ASTR3030 (Spring 2023)
  7. Astronomy Seminar (LG) ASTR8750 (Fall 2023)
  8. Electromagnetism I PHYS4410/6410 (Fall 2023)
  9. Electromagnetism II PHYS4420/6420 (Spring 2024)
  10. Astronomy Seminar (LG) ASTR8750 (Spring 2024)
  11. Electromagnetism I PHYS4410/6410 (Fall 2024)
  12. Astronomy Seminar (LG) ASTR8750 (Fall 2024)
  13. Electromagnetism II PHYS4420/6420 (Spring 2025)
  14. Electromagnetism PHYS8410 (Spring 2025)
  15. Special Topics in Relativity PHYS4750 (Spring 2025)
  16. Astronomy Seminar (LG) ASTR8750 (Spring 2025)
  17. Astronomy Seminar (LG) ASTR8750 (Fall 2025)
  18. Electromagnetism PHYS8410 (Spring 2026)
  19. Astronomy Seminar (LG) ASTR8750 (Spring 2026)
Sponsored Research
  1. NSF subaward AST-1715661, 50k for the study of binary accretion
  2. NASA FINESST 80NSSC23K1443 (PI), 145k for study of unequal-mass BH binary inspirals (09/2023-08/2026)
  3. NASA LPS 80NSSC24K0440 (lead PI), 754k for study of LISA EM signatures of binary mergers (01/2024-01/2027)
  4. SC REAP (PI), 80k for study of mass-transfering binary stars
  5. NSF AST-2408034 (PI), 459k for study of massive black hole binary populations (09/2024-08/2027)
Service and Committees at Clemson
  1. Faculty Search Committee for Astro Hire (Spring 2020)
  2. Graduate Admissions Committee (Winter 2021,22,23)
  3. Graduate Recruitment Weekend (Astro Group Speaker; Spring 2021,22,23,24,25,26)
  4. Scholastic Policy Committee (2021,22,23,24,25)
  5. Faculty Search Committee for Space Physics Hires (Fall 2024)
  6. Departmental Colloquium Committee, Chair (2024,25)
  7. Graduate Placement Exam Committee, Chair (Spring 2025)
  8. Graduate Placement Exam Committee, Chair (Spring 2026)
  9. Student Welfare Committee (2026-present)
Student Success
Undergraduates: Jack Hu (University of Miami, PhD Program in Physics and Astronomy); Alex Pendris (New York University, PhD Program in Physics); Samuel Feyan (Harvard University, PhD Program in Astronomy)
PhD: Benjamin Amend (postdoctoral scholar Syracuse University); Madeline Clyburn (empoyed by local outreach organization)
Postdocs: Ryan Westernacher-Schneider (subsequent postdoc at Leiden University); Marcus Hatton (still at Clemson); Debojyoti Garain (CU Fellows postdoc; still at Clemson)
Synergistic Activities
Teaching and workshops: Taught a college-level course at Columbia University to advanced high school students on hydrodynamics. At the university level, I have taught special and general relativity at undergraduate and graduate levels, and an introductory galactic astrophysics course to undergraduates. I ran a high performance computing workshop at Clemson University in the Spring of 2021, attended by 10-12 students from Clemson University and New York University (undergraduate through postdoc).
Public lectures and workshops: Roper Mountain Astronomers (Greenville, SC) on gravitational wave astronomy. Pleasant Valley State Prison (Coalinga, CA) on multi-messenger astrophysics. Community Day at SLAC (Menlo Park, CA), astronomy and cosmology outreach for children and families. Night Life at the California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco, CA), astronomy outreach for families. Organization of a joint Georgia Tech / Clemson astrophysics workshop hosted by Clemson.
Student mentoring: Past or currently the research supervisor to 10 Clemson UG's, 12 Clemson PhD GS's, and three Clemson Postdoctoral students.
Refereeing and proposal evaluations: Refereed some 30 papers for journals including The Astrophysical Journal (and Letters), MNRAS, Physics of Plasmas, Journal of Plasma Physics, and Physics of Fluids. Evaluator on NSF proposals, Served on NASA ATP panel.
Seminar organization: Organized and hosted a 10-part lecture series in Summer 2022 ``Clemson Summer Seminar on Gas Dynamics and Gravity.'' Speakers were postdocs and junior faculty in US and Europe. Hosted online, attended by colleagues at many institutions. Organizer of departmental astronomy seminar Fall 2023 - present.