Tomaselli completed his PhD thesis “Gravitational Atoms and Black Hole Binaries” and obtained his PhD at the UvA in October 2024. He did his research at the GRAPPA centre of excellence in gravitation and astroparticle physics and the Institute of Physics under the supervision of Daniel Baumann and Gianfranco Bertone.

During his four-year doctoral project, he developed novel theoretical models for detecting ultralight dark matter. His work combined analytical and numerical calculations to predict the imprints of light particles produced by black holes through a process known as ‘superradiance’ on the gravitational waves emitted by merging black holes.

“My time at the UvA was truly transformative,” says Tomaselli. “Working and interacting with other researchers at GRAPPA was key to my growth, both as a scientist and as a person. Winning the CAN thesis prize is a great honour, and I look forward to building on this work in the years ahead.”

Following his PhD, Tomaselli has taken up a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, for which he received a Rubicon grant. At IAS he will continue exploring the rich interplay between fundamental theory and observational prospects for dark matter, collaborating with leading researchers in both particle physics and cosmology.

Bertone comments: “Gimmy’s thesis stood out for its originality and depth. His predictions pave the way for discovering or ruling out ultralight dark matter, and I’m confident his contributions will shape the field for years to come.”

Baumann adds: “It has been a privilege to mentor such a creative and dedicated scientist. Gimmy’s success reflects the supportive, collaborative environment we strive to foster here at the UvA.”

Tomaselli received his award at the annual CAN Symposium (12–13 June 2025).