Dr. Marc Harris Yao Fortune is an astrophysicist, educator, and research scientist based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. He is a Lecturer and Researcher in Astrophysics and Space Sciences at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Vice-President of the Ivorian Association of Astronomy (AIA). He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) and a member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
He holds a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, and has received advanced academic training in both space physics and astrophysics through studies at the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape, and the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny. His background provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation spanning physics, space sciences, and astrophysics.
His research focuses on galaxy evolution, particularly the identification and study of star-forming galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN) using multiwavelength observations. He investigates the physical processes governing galaxy activity and their evolution across cosmic time, combining observational data analysis with computational approaches.
He has contributed to international collaborations, including COOP4SKA, and has participated in numerous scientific workshops and conferences across Africa and internationally. He also serves as Co-editor of the AGS Journal.
Dr. Fortune is actively engaged in scientific capacity building, teaching, and outreach in francophone Africa. His vision is to strengthen Africa’s leadership in astronomy and space sciences through research excellence, collaboration, and the training of the next generation of scientists.