Thursday, December 4, 2025
The UNT Physics Department remembers beloved faculty member and astrophysics researcher
Dr. Fakhri Zahedy, who passed away November 2025.
Dr. Zahedy was a rising star in the astrophysics research community and an excellent
professor. With a bachelor's degree from MIT through a Ph.D. from the University of
Chicago, followed by a prestigious Carnegie Fellowship at the Carnegie Observatories,
he emerged as an outstanding researcher, focusing on the physics of the circumgalactic
medium of distant galaxies. His research significantly impacted our understanding
of galaxy formation and evolution as well as the gas "economics" in galaxies which
are the building blocks of our universe. Dr. Zahedy used state-of-the-art astronomical
facilities for his research, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb
Space Telescope, and the Magellan Telescopes in Chile. In the short time he worked
at the Department of Physics at UNT, he recruited an impressive cohort of talented
graduate and undergraduate students who will continue to work on understanding how
the universe works, preserving Dr. Zahedy's legacy.
-Dr. Ohad Shemmer, Professor of UNT Physics
Dr. Zahedy was more than a professor to me. He felt more like a mentor to me, because
he has shown me that there are much more to explore in the astronomy field and that
he has helped me throughout these past 2 semesters. When I was not doing great in
either of the classes I took with him we would meet in his office hours and every
time he would always reassure me that I can do great in his class and that he would
help me in every way he can. Dr. Zahedy cared about my well being and my success for
his classes and that is why I respect him so much.
-Wendell Bernardin
While meeting with Dr. Zahedy one Friday near the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester,
I asked him about the work he did over the summer. Instead of delving into the intricacies
of his scientific work, he shared photos and videos of his time in Southeast Asia
where he spent much of his time doing outreach, both scientific and environmental.
He shared with me the importance and power of staying grounded while working in a
field that can often feel removed from the world around us, and this perspective had
a profound impact on me. Not only was he an advocate for science, but also for a better
world for the coming generations. I have never met someone as dedicated to his students
as he was, and I will forever see him as a mentor.
- Ellis Ernsberger
Dr. Zahedy was really tough on us academically, but I always appreciated the treats
he gave us during exams. His style was to give two exams per semester — a midterm
and a final. While I dreaded the exams, I definitely looked forward to the cookies.
I think he only baked cookies for the class one time; the other times, he ordered
them. Being in his research group, I had the privilege of tasting more of his own
bakes. He was an excellent baker.
I underestimated how much he dedicated to us while he was here. Everything from the
seemingly impossible weekly problem sets to his essay-length exams just shows how
much of his time and energy went into teaching us. On top of all that, he tried to
find ways to express how much he cared about his students' well-being. He was truly
an overachiever in any way he could be.
- Oluwatise Fagbeja
Fakhri was one of the most brilliant and kind humans to exist. He was always extremely
open to sharing his vast knowledge and made me even more curious and excited about
the world of Astrophysics. He made me feel very welcomed from the get go and in the
short time I knew him, he made me a better scientist. It was always extremely easy
to learn from him and he never made me feel less than for being curious. He was a
tremendous mentor in the few months that I was able to know and work with him and
his loss is an unimaginable tragedy. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities
he provided me and for his immense kindness.
- Pavani Rambachan
Dr. Zahedy was the most attentive and caring professor I had the privilege of knowing.
Whenever I encountered an academic roadblock, he would never hesitate to meet me one-on-one
to discuss methods on how I, and he as a professor, could improve. Dr. Zahedy saw
potential in every student and worked hard to nurture that potential in the classroom.
His classes were challenging not only from the course material, but also in the way
he would push your critical thinking and intuition. Dr. Zahedy taught me the foundations
of being a curious, critical, and driven student.
- Anonymous
University of North Texas 
