Personal Story - Amber Hollinger

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue74 1–31 July 2026

I grew up in Greater Vancouver, where the mountains meet the Pacific Ocean and the rare clear night sky offered a reminder that there was something much bigger beyond the horizon. Looking back, I think growing up surrounded by such dramatic scenery naturally sparked my curiosity about the Universe. Vancouver is also a fantastic place for hiking, and spending time on the trails remains one of my favourite ways to recharge.

I completed my Honours Bachelor of Science in Physics and Astronomy at the University of British Columbia, where I first discovered my fascination with astronomy. My undergraduate thesis investigated the motions of stars, and I quickly realised I was especially interested in what the movements of celestial objects can reveal about the Universe. That theme carried into my PhD at the University of Waterloo, where my research shifted from stellar motions to the motions of galaxies. My first postdoctoral position then took me to Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 in France to work on the Cosmicflows-4 project, and I have since moved to Canberra for my second postdoctoral position, where I continue to study the nearby Universe and the growth of cosmic structure.

My research explores how the motions of galaxies can be used to understand the structure and evolution of the local Universe. Although the Universe is expanding, galaxies also have their own "peculiar" velocities, caused by the gravitational pull of surrounding matter. These motions provide valuable information about the underlying distribution of matter and the growth of cosmic structure. I am especially interested in reconstructing the velocity field from galaxy redshift surveys and using these reconstructions to improve redshift estimates for nearby distance indicators. I also study the systematic uncertainties in these measurements and how they affect our interpretation of the nearby cosmic environment.

One of the things I enjoy most about cosmology is that it feels like solving an enormous puzzle, where every new survey reveals another piece. It is exciting to work in a field where observations, simulations, and theory all come together to tell the story of how the Universe evolved. I feel fortunate to spend my days thinking about questions that span hundreds of millions of light-years while collaborating with researchers from around the world.

Outside of research, I enjoy activities that are a little more hands-on and a little closer to home. I love baking, especially when there are friends to share the results with, and I enjoy painting whenever I have the chance to slow down and be creative. Hiking has remained a favourite pastime, and I am always looking for new trails to explore. Whether I am out in nature or experimenting with a new recipe in the kitchen, I often find that stepping away from the computer leads to my best ideas once I return to my desk.

Amber Hollinger