As significant strides are being made in gathering observational data on the methods and epochs of galaxy formation and evolution, the great potential offered by the new generation of computer simulation models must be complemented by a much tighter coupling between the simulations and actual observations. My present research consists of several projects designed to discriminate between various scenarios for galaxy formation and evolution.

As a key issue in astronomy, the connection between galaxy characteristics and environment is illuminated by combined observational and numerical programs. The development of successful numerical models has played an indisputable role in advancing our insight into processes that control the formation and evolution of galaxies. My projects uncover the role of interactions in galaxy formation and evolution. I combine powerful numerical simulation techniques with observational results to develop new avenues of analysis and comparison. I produce self-consistent, multi-component models which are rigorously compared to detailed spatial, kinematic, and spectroscopic observations. High resolution during the simulations is ensured by efficient N-body and smoothed particle hydrodynamics codes that allow particle numbers of $N > 10^6$ to be employed.  Analysis is supported by several observational programs. Studies of both cores and outer structure of galaxies, surveys of galaxy environments, and programs specifically designed to elucidate the role of mergers and accretion in galactic evolution provide observational evidence related to evolutionary effects.

My Research Topics:
1. Galaxy and Globular Cluster Formation in Hierarchical Cosmologies
2. Creating Diffuse Light at Large Galactic Radii by Accretion
3. Estimating Galaxy Masses
4. Formation of Elliptical Galaxies Through Mergers of Multiple Galaxies
5. Formation of Shell and Ring Galaxies
Hey, I get paid to create universes and smash galaxies together.  Cool.
My research is part of my larger dedication to uniting theory, observation, and computational methods to ultimately improve our understanding of dynamical processes in the universe. This provides students an excellent introduction to many of the important aspects of research science. Student participation may range from analysis of existing observational and simulation results to developing and evolving new numerical models.
Press releases on some of my recent research:
Discovery Channel      Scientific American

• Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program Project Director 2000-2004
• PSC-CUNY Research Award 1999-2001
• Title III Educational Technology Faculty Development Program Grant 1999 - 2001
• CUNY Office of Academic Affairs Research Equipment Grant 1999 - 2000
• NASA Space Grant Project Director 1998

• NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program Fellowship 1991-94
• Zonta International Foundation Amelia Earhart Fellowship 1991-92
• NASA Space Grant Fellowship 1990-91
• Stratospheric-Tropospheric Exchange Project Recognition, NASA Ames Research Center 1988
• Outstanding Graduate of the Year, San Francisco State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy 1984-85
• San Francisco State University Outstanding Academic Achievement Award 1985

Pudritz, R. & Weil, M. L. 2003, Globular cluster formation, in New Horizons in Globular Cluster Astronomy, ASP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 296, Padova, Italy, ed. G. Piotto, G. Meylan, S. Djorgovski and M. Riello, p. 419.

Weil, M.L. & Pudritz, R. 2002, Evolution of supergiant star-forming clouds in a Lambda-CDM cosmology, American Astronomical Society 201st Meeting, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Social, Vol. 34, p. 1190.

Weil, M.L. & Pudritz, R. 2001, Cosmological evolution of supergiant star-forming clouds, Astrophysical Journal 556, 164.

Weil, M.L. 1999, A comparison of simple galaxy mass estimators, in Galaxy Dynamics, proceedings of the Galaxy Dynamics Conference at Rutgers University, ASP Conference Series, astro-ph 9811032.

Weil, M.L., Eke, V.R. & Efstathiou, G. 1998, The formation of disc galaxies, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 300, 773.

Weil, M.L. 1998, Clumps and bumps on the road to galaxy formation, Nature 392, 228.

Weil, M.L., Bland-Hawthorn, J. & Malin, D.F. 1997, Diffuse stellar light at 100 kpc scales in M87, Astrophysical Journal 490, 664.

Weil, M.L. & Hernquist, L. 1996, Global properties of multiple merger remnants, Astrophysical Journal 460, 101.

Weil, M.L. & Hernquist, L. 1994, Kinematic misalignments in remnants of multiple mergers, Astrophysical Journal 431, L79.

Weil, M.L. & Hernquist, L. 1994, Gas in shell galaxies: non-spherical potentials, in Mass-Transfer Induced Activity in Galaxies, ed. I. Shlosman, Cambridge University Press, 408.

Weil, M.L. & Hernquist, L. 1993, Nuclear distribution of gas in shell galaxies, in The Globular Cluster- Galaxy Connection, proceedings of the Eleventh Santa Cruz Summer Workshop in Astronomy and Astrophysics, ed. G.H Smith and J.P. Brodie, ASP Conference Series, Vol. 48, 629.

Hernquist, L. & Weil, M.L. 1993, Spokes in ring galaxies, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 261, 804.

Hernquist, L. & Weil, M.L. 1993, Spokes in ring galaxies, in The Evolution of Galaxies and Their Environment, proceedings of the Third Teton Summer School, ed. D. Hollenbach, H. Thronson, J.M. Shull, NASA Conference Publication 3190, 365.

Weil, M.L. & Hernquist, L. 1993, Segregation of gas and stars in shell galaxies, Astrophysical Journal 405, 142.

Weil, M.L. & Hernquist, L. 1993, Gas distribution and starbursts in shell galaxies, in The Evolution of Galaxies and Their Environment, proceedings of the Third Teton Summer School, ed. D. Hollenbach, H. Thronson, J.M. Shull, NASA Conference Publication 3190, 153.

Hernquist, L. & Weil, M.L. 1992, Starbursts in the nuclei of shell galaxies, Nature 358, 734.

Valero, F.P.J., Ackerman, T.P., Gore, W.J.Y. & Weil, M.L. 1989, Radiation studies in the Arctic, in Aerosols and Climate, ed. P.V. Hobbes and M.P. Mc Cormick, A. Deepak Publishing.

Valero, F.P.J., Gore, W.J.Y., Weil, M.L. & Ackerman, T.P. 1986, Measurements of the absorption of solar radiation by aerosols and optical depths in the Arctic atmosphere, EOS 67.