Federica Bianco

Federica Bianco, an Italian-born astrophysicist, is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Delaware. She earned her bachelor's in astronomy from the University of Bologna and PhD in physics from the University of Pennsylvania, with postdoctoral work at Las Cumbres Observatory and NYU's Center for Urban Science and Progress. Joining UD in 2019, her expertise in data science and technosignatures—detectable signs of extraterrestrial technology—led to her selection as one of 16 members on NASA's Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Independent Study Team in 2022, chaired by David Spergel. The panel, focusing on unclassified data for national security and aviation safety, released its report in September 2023 without finding extraterrestrial evidence. Bianco has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers, received a Department of Energy grant, and is a TED Fellow and professional bantamweight boxer. She emphasizes unbiased data collection to overcome skepticism in UAP research.