Janna Levin, photo: Béa de Géa for Quanta Magazine
photo: Béa de Géa for Quanta Magazine

Janna Levin is the Claire Tow Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is also the Founding Director of the Science Studios at Pioneer Works and founding editor-in-chief of Pioneer Works Broadcast. A Guggenheim Fellow, Janna has contributed to an understanding of black holes, the cosmology of extra dimensions, and gravitational waves in the shape of spacetime. She is the presenter of the NOVA feature Black Hole Apocalypse, aired on PBS—the first female presenter for NOVA in 35 years. Her previous books include How the Universe Got Its Spots, Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space, and a novel, A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines, which won the PEN/Bingham Prize among other international awards. Her latest book is Black Hole Survival Guide, which features artwork by Lia Halloran.