20 Under 40: Denis Vida

Meet Denis Vida, 33, research scientist and adjunct professor, Western University, founder and principal investigator, Global Meteor Network and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2026 recipients

A LEADING EXPERT in meteor physics, Denis Vida’s research focuses on the study of small bodies in the Solar System, from micrometeorites to asteroids, and recently extends to space situational awareness and atmospheric physics. With a background in computer science, a PhD in geophysics and postdoctoral training in astrophysics, he specializes in scientific computing, effectively leveraging advanced machine learning methods for scientific research. He founded and coordinates the Global Meteor Network, a groundbreaking project deploying over 1,000 cameras globally to capture meteor events, track satellites, survey aircraft contrails and study other atmospheric phenomena.

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What is your biggest career achievement so far, or the thing that you’re most proud of?

I’ve somehow ‘tricked’ a thousand people across the world into caring about astronomy. They’ve installed meteor cameras that feed directly into our servers at Western, helping us conduct groundbreaking science and providing NASA with data that keeps astronauts safe. I’m also running a sovereign Canadian satellite observations program, and recently expanded into contrail observations, which has the potential to mitigate as much as two per cent of total climate change impacts — more than Canada’s total annual emissions!

How has technology changed your work over the past couple of years, if at all?

I have a background in computer science, so I am an early adopter of machine learning technologies, including the new LLM-based systems — ‘AI’. The new AI programming tools are extremely helpful and have increased my productivity by at least double. They also help me tidy up text that I write when my brain power is approaching zero.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be afraid to seek new opportunities and expand your worldview — you never know what you’ll find.

When you’re not working, what are you most passionate about?

I have a one-year-old daughter who is my world! Otherwise, I’m boring — I like nature, hiking, breweries and Nordic spas.

What’s your favourite spot to eat in this city?

Mexican is my favourite cuisine, and while no restaurants match the flavour of street taco vendors in California, Grill 23 Authentic Mexican is pretty close. IvanoPoblano also has that OG flavour, but it’s a fancier place. Also, where did all the froyo places go?

What’s left for you to do, professionally or personally?

I have around 30 years of career in front of me. I want to mentor dozens of ambitious young people to make a positive impact on the world.

And finally: what’s your guilty pleasure?

A good Neapolitan pizza pie cannot survive long in my vicinity. Interview by Kieran Delamont / Photos by Reid Lucier