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About

M. Zaenglein is a key figure in the development of next-generation, ground-based gamma-ray astronomy, specializing in the operation and automation of Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs). Their primary research focuses on pioneering the use of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs or G-APDs) and advancing robotic telescope operations. Zaenglein’s major contribution is their work on the FACT (First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope) project, which demonstrated the first successful application of SiPMs in an IACT, a critical technological leap offering higher durability and lower voltage requirements than traditional photomultiplier tubes. Their work on FACT’s remote and robotic operation (4 citations) established a new standard for efficient, crew-less telescope management, significantly reducing operational costs. The foundational paper on FACT’s status and results (8 citations) documents the telescope’s successful, stable performance since 2011 at La Palma. This achievement not only validated the SiPM technology for future large-scale projects like the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) but also proved that complex astrophysical instruments can be reliably operated from afar, marking a notable milestone in high-energy astrophysics instrumentation.