
I am an observational astrophysicist, studying the formation and evolution of planetary systems. To this end, I obtain and model high-resolution ALMA, SMA, and JWST
observations of circumstellar dust and gas disks around pre- and main-sequence stars. My research primarily focuses on debris disks, cosmic cousins to the Solar System’s Kuiper Belt.
By studying these at their birth stages around pre-main sequence stars, and mature stages around main-sequence stars, my research seeks to understand how and when planets form, how
typical our Solar System is, and what processes drive the evolution of exoplanetary systems.
I have held a Submillimeter Array (SMA) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Center for Astrophysics Harvard-Smithsonian since 2022, and will transition to a CfA Prize Fellowship this September (2025). Prior to this, I completed my PhD at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge. I am involved in a number of ongoing international collaborations analysing stellar and disc demographics in young star forming regions, including the large ALMA programme, ARKS see Cycle 9 projects here, and the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey, EWOCS.
On this page, you can read more about my research interests, and find my contact details if you want to chat further about research. If you are a student looking for research opportunities, please feel free to reach out to me directly if you are interested in working with me. Below I have included links to various highlights of my research over the course of my career.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

April 2025

October 2024
In summer 2024, I was selected as a Cycle 12 ALMA Ambassador! As part of this, I designed and led a day-long ALMA data calibration and analysis workshop on October 30th at the CfA. I've published here all of the materials and recordings.

May 2024
SMA confirmation of the largest protoplanetary disk in the sky: IRAS23077+6707. Credit: Monsch K. & Lovell J. B. et al, 2024

Feb 2024
SMA detection of an Extreme Stellar Flare from the Class III star, HD283572. Credit: Lovell J. B. et al, 2024

May 2023
ALMA and Keck analysis of Fomalhaut: the Great Dust Cloud is a background object. Credit: Kennedy G. M. & Lovell J. B., et al, 2023

Aug 2022
ALMA and HST imaging of the post-main sequence debris disc around Kappa CrB, a sub-giant, hosting multiple massive companions. Credit: Lovell J. B. et al, 2022

Dec 2021
The morphology of face-on eccentric debris discs: the origins of apocentre and pericentre glows. Credit: Lynch and Lovell, 2022

July 2021
The asymmetric debris disc of q1 Eri, revealed by ALMA. Credit: Lovell J. B. et al, 2021c

March 2021
ALMA regional centre featured science highlight. Credit: Lovell J. B. et al, 2021b

December 2020
Rapidly outflowing gas from class III star NO Lup, revealed by ALMA. Credit: Lovell J. B. et al, 2021b
Full research article available here, press release here and EarthSky article here
