AGN FEEDBACK · Constraining AGN feedback through cosmic times: Paving the way for the next generation radio facilities

Understanding how galaxies form in the early universe and their subsequent evolution through cosmic time is one of the main goals of modern cosmology. Panchromatic look-back sky surveys significantly advanced the field in the past decade, and we are now on the verge of entering an even more fruitful period - the 'golden age' of radio astronomy - given an order of magnitude improved, new facilities. On these facilities, I am leading two unique, state-of-the-art radio sky surveys that will push to the next frontiers: (a) probe for the first time the highly debated nature of faint radio sources with strong implications on our understanding of the cosmic radio background, and (b) provide stringent constraints on the AGN feedback processes postulated by simulations to explain the evolution of massive galaxies over cosmic time. These radio surveys carry an immense legacy value (for the wider astronomical community) and will serve as pathfinders for surveys with the next-generation radio facilities, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The proposed CIG funding is essential for the success of these timely surveys, that I will conduct as an assistant professor at the University of Zagreb (Croatia) providing man-power and enhancing international visibility (and thereby EU competitiveness). Furthermore, the CIG will strengthen my position as an independent, internationally recognized researcher, an indispensable prerequisite for my successful integration and long-term career advance at the University of Zagreb.