Professional Title/Position

Professor of Astronomy, University of Toledo

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., New York University, 1979
• M.S., New York University, 1976
• B.S., Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, 1971

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Physical Society (Fellow)
• Optical Society of America
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• International Astronomical Union

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Atomic and molecular physics
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Astrochemistry

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Member, AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Division Steering Committee, 2012-2013
• Scientific Editor (Interstellar Matter and Laboratory Astrophysics), The Astrophysical Journal, 2008-Present
• Member, Scientific Organizing Committee, International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas, 2007-Present
• Member, AAS Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, 2007-2012; Chair, 2007-2008
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2010
• Chair, Science Organizing Committee, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2006
• Technical Editor (Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy), Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 2004-2011
• Member, Organizing Committee, Commission 14 (Atomic and Molecular Data), International Astronomical Union, 2000-2012; Vice President, 2003-2006; President, 2006-2009; Past-President, 2009-Present; Chair, Working Group on Molecular Data, 2009-Present
• Member, FUSE (Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer) Observers Advisory Committee, 2000-2003; Chair, 2000-2002

Professional Experience and Positions

• Professor of Astronomy, University of Toledo, 1998-Present
• Associate Professor of Astronomy, University of Toledo, 1993-1998
• Assistant Professor of Astronomy, University of Toledo, 1988-1993
• Member of the Technical Staff, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1985-1988
• National Research Council Associate, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1983-1985
• Lecturer of Astronomy, University of Texas at Austin, 1983
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas at Austin, 1979-1983
• Postdoctoral Fellow, New York University, 1979
• Senior Research Technician, Hospital for Special Surgery/Cornell Medical School, 1972-1975

Candidate Statement

I study atomic and molecular processes in diffuse interstellar matter through a combination of modeling, observations, and laboratory experiments. Early in my career, I relied on others for the necessary atomic and molecular data. My research emphasis shifted over time, and now a large fraction of my efforts revolve around providing data to modelers and observers. I have served on committees at the national and international level whose main purpose is to bring data users and providers together. My goals as Chair of LAD involve expanding the synergy between users and providers. I will build upon the successful sessions we organized for the summer meetings of the AAS by having our junior colleagues play a more prominent role. Through my international contacts, I will encourage our colleagues beyond North America to play an important part in promoting laboratory physics worldwide through LAD activities. It would be a privilege to serve the laboratory astrophysics community as Chair of LAD.

Professional Title/Position

Senior Research Scientist, Space Science and Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research Center

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., Pierre & Marie Curie University, Paris VI, 1986
• M.A., Pierre & Marie Curie University, Paris VI, 1983
• B.A., University of Orsay, Paris XI, 1981

Honors and Awards:

• NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Physical Society
• American Chemical Society
• International Astronomical Union
• Committee of Space Research (COSPAR)

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Molecular physics
• Molecular spectroscopy
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Astrochemistry
• Astrobiology
• Interstellar medium, interstellar dust and ices
• Planetary atmospheres
• Planetary surface ices
• Interstellar and Solar System observations

Services, Roles, and Activities

• AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Division Steering Committee, 2012-2013
• Vice-President, IAU Division B Commission 14 (Atomic & Molecular data), 2012- 2015
• Organizing Committee, IAU Division B Commission 14 (Atomic & Molecular Data), 2006-2012
• Organizing Committee, IAU Division H Commission 34 (Astrochemistry), 2009-2014
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, First Laboratory Astrophysics Division Meeting, AAS 222nd, 2013
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, IAU Symposium 297: The Diffuse Interstellar Bands, 2013
• Chair, AAS Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, 2008-2010
• Member, Infrastructure Study Group on Facilities, Funding and Programs, State of the Profession Subcommittee, National Academies Astro2010 Decadal Survey, 2009-2010
• NASA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program Subtopic Manager, 2008-present
• NASA Standing Review Board, Organisms/Organics Exposure to Orbital Stress (O/OREOS) Science Demonstration Mission, 2008-2009
• Member, AAS Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, 2007-2012
• AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Working Group Steering Committee, 2007
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, Laboratory Astrophysics Topical Session, AAS 220th, 2012
• Member, Scientific Organizing Committee, IAU Symposium 280: The Molecular Universe, 2011
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, Laboratory Astrophysics Topical Session, AAS 218th, 2011
• Member, Scientific Organizing Committee, International Symposium on PAHs in the Universe, 2010
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, Laboratory Astrophysics Topical Session, AAS 216th, 2010
• Member, Scientific and Local Organizing Committees, 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths (ASOS) for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas, 2010
• Reviewer, NASA White Paper for Laboratory Astrophysics 2010
• Chair, Science Organizing Committee, Laboratory Astrophysics Topical Session, AAS 214th, 2009
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, Laboratory Astrophysics Topical Session, AAS 212th, 2008
• Technical Advisor, NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, 2007–2010
• Co-editor, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop Conference Proceedings, 2006
• Field Editor, Experimental Astrochemistry, Encyclopedia of Astrobiology, Springer, 2013
• Co-editor UV/Vis+ Spectra Data Base, science-softCon, 2010-present
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2006
• Member International Steering Committee, “Carbon in Space”, 2006
• Member, Scientific Organizing Committee, 35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, 2004
• Editor, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop Conference Proceedings, 2002
• Chair, Science and Local Organizing Committee, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2002
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, 35th Meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences, 2003
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, International Congress of Spectroscopy (ICS), 2003
• Guest editor, "Molecular Spectroscopy in Astrophysics", Spectrochimica Acta, Elsevier, 2001
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, XXV European Congress on Molecular Spectroscopy, 2000
• Technical Advisor, NASA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program, 1999–2001
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, Solar System Ices, International Symposium 1995
• Member, Review Panels for NASA Astronomy and Physics Research and Analysis Program; NASA Planetary Atmospheres Program; NASA Cassini Data Analysis; NASA Exobiology Program; NASA Cosmochemistry Program; NASA Origins Program; NASA SBIR Program; NASA-Ames Instrumentation Working Group (IWG); National Science Foundation (NSF), Astronomy Program; National Science Foundation (NSF), Chemistry Program; National Science Foundation (NSF), International Program; French National Research Agency (ANR); DOE Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (OFES); American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund
• Research Advisor: NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP); NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP); NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) Program; National Research Council (NRC)
• Referee for The Astrophysical Journal; The Astrophysical Journal Letters; Astronomy and Astrophysics; Nature; Science; Journal of Chemical Physics; Journal of Physical Chemistry; Icarus; Planetary and Space Sciences; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; Chemical Physics; Chemical Physics Letters; Astrobiology, Carbon, Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy; International Journal Mass Spectrometry; Advances in Space Research; Journal of the American Chemical Society; Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics; Chemical Reviews

Professional Experience and Positions

• Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Astrophysics, NASA Ames Research Center, 2003-present
• Research Astrophysicist, Space Science Astrophysics, NASA Ames Research Center, 1999-2003
• Principal Investigator, SETI, Space Science Astrophysics, NASA Ames Research Center, 1994-1999
• Research Physicist, Astronomy Department, University of California, Berkeley, 1992-1994
• Visiting Research Astronomer, Astronomy Department, University of California, Berkeley, 1990-1992
• National Research Council Research Associate, Space Science Astrophysics, NASA Ames, 1988-1990
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Univ. of California, Berkeley, 1987-1988

Candidate Statement

I strongly believe in the vital role that laboratory astrophysics plays in astronomy and in science in general. Laboratory astrophysics leads us to address scientific questions that help understand our universe. The field is highly multidisciplinary and deals with unusual environments generating unexpected scientific questions that often constitute a fertile ground for major discoveries and advances in science. I've been working in this field for over 25 years and I'm still amazed by the richness and the diversity of lab astro. Laboratory astrophysics has found its home in the AAS. I've been actively involved in this effort since its inception in 2007 when the predecessor of our division, the working group on laboratory astrophysics (WGLA) was created. The effort has now evolved and matured into a full division. This represents a great opportunity for our community and I hope to be able to continue working for the support and the promotion of the field through the growth of our division. My main goals and objectives, if elected, are to continue lobbying for greater support for lab astro research and for increased opportunities for young researchers, to continue improving the interaction between the data users and the data providers and to maintain active collaborations with lab astro groups and societies both domestic and international.

Professional Title/Position

Henry Smith Carhart Collegiate Professor of Space Science, University of Michigan Professor, Applied Physics and Physics, University of Michigan

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., Physics, Johns Hopkins University, 1979
• M.S., Physics, Johns Hopkins University, 1977
• B.A. (magna cum laude), Philosophy (with Honors) and Physics, Vanderbilt University, 1975

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Physical Society
• American Geophysical Union

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• High Energy Density Physics
• Laboratory Astrophysics
• Plasma Physics
• Published High-Energy-Density Physics: Fundamentals, Inertial Fusion, and Experimental Astrophysics, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2006.

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Chapter Lead, DOE Research Needs Workshop (ReNeW) on High Energy Density Laboratory Plasmas, 2009-2010
• Member, Executive Committee, Omega Laser Users Group, 2008-present
• Member, Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, American Astronomical Society, 2007-2012
• Member, Women in Plasma Physics Committee of the American Physical Society, 2008-2011
• Member, Editorial Board, High Energy Density Physics, The Journal, 2008-present
• Chair, Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, American Astronomical Society, 2010-2011
• Member, Koonin Committee for review of progress in the National Ignition Campaign, 2010-2012

Professional Experience and Positions

• Director, Center for Laser Experimental Astrophysics Research, 2009-present
• Director, Center for Radiative Shock Hydrodynamics, 2008-present
• Professor, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, 1996-present
• Director, Space Physics Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, 1998-2002
• Professor, University of California-Davis, Applied Science, 1991-1993
• Associate Professor, University of California-Davis, 1989-1991
• Director, Plasma Physics Research Institute, Lawrence Livermore National Lab., 1989-1996
• Physicist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1979-1989

Candidate Statement

I believe that the Laboratory Astrophysics Division is important to stimulate and enable increased communication and collaborations among astrophysicists, and astronomers, and laboratory scientists across all disciplines. This is why I invested time in the AAS Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics and am willing to serve this new division in its early phases.

Professional Title/Position

Senior Research Scientist, Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory, Columbia University

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., Harvard University, 1994
• M.A., Harvard University, 1987
• B.A. (magna cum laude), Columbia University, 1985

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society, and its divisions HEAD, LAD, and SPD
• American Physical Society (Fellow)
• International Astronomical Union

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Atomic and molecular physics
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Astrochemistry
• Astrobiology
• Solar coronal observations

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Chair, Science Organizing Committee, First Laboratory Astrophysics Division meeting, 222nd AAS, 2013
• Acting Secretary, AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Division Steering Committee, 2012-2013
• Chair, Science Organizing Committee, Laboratory Astrophysics Meeting-within-a-Meeting, 220th AAS, 2012
• Chair, AAS Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, 2011-2012
• Chair, Science Organizing Committee, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2010
• Subcommittee Chair, Program Committee, American Physical Society, Division of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 2009
• Member, General Committee, International Conference on Photonic, Electronic, and Atomic Collisions, 2009-2013
• Member, Program Committee, American Physical Society, Division of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, 2008-2011
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, South East Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2008
• Chair, Science Organizing Committee, Laboratory Astrophysics Topical Session, 212th AAS, 2008
• Member, AAS Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, 2007-2012
• Member, Panel on Plasma Diagnostics and Atomic Astrophysics, Constellation-X Facility Science Team, 2007-2008
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, NASA Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2006
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, South East Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop, 2003
• Executive Committee Member, South East Laboratory Astrophysics Consortium, 2003-present
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, Photoionized Plasmas Workshop, 2000
• Referee for The Astronomical Journal, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Canadian Journal of Physics, Journal of Plasma and Fusion Research Series, Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer, Nature, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, The Astrophysical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal Supplemental Series, Physica Scripta, Physical Review A, Physical Review Letters, Reports on Progress in Physics, and Review of Modern Physics
• Member, Review Panels for German Research Foundation Priority Program on the physics of the interstellar medium; NASA Astronomy and Physics Research and Analysis Program; NASA Astrophysics Theory Program/Beyond Einstein Foundation Science; NASA Herschel Theoretical Research and Laboratory Astrophysics Programs; and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
• External Reviewer for Department of Energy Opportunities in Basic Plasma Science; European Research Council Starting Grant Program; UK Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council; NASA Heliophysics Research Program; NASA Sun-Earth Connection Program; NASA Planetary Atmospheres Program; NASA Postdoctoral Program; NSF Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences: Solar, Heliospheric, and Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) Program; and NSF Division of Physics: Major Research Instrumentation Program

Professional Experience and Positions

• Senior Research Scientist, Columbia University, 2006-present
• Adjunct Professor of Astronomy, Columbia University, 2009
• Visiting Scientist, Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), 2002-2003
• Research Scientist, Columbia University, 2000-2006
• Associate Research Scientist, Columbia University, 1996-2000
• Short-term Visiting Scientist, Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (Germany), 1995-present
• Post-Graduate Research Scientist, University of California at Berkeley, 1994-1996
• Research Assistant, Harvard University, 1986-1994
• Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, 1985-1986

Candidate Statement

The newly formed LAD is rich with potential. One of my goals for the coming years is to help grow the Division to its fullest, both in terms of scope and membership. LAD also offers a unique forum by which to advocate for support for laboratory astrophysics, both nationally and worldwide. As part of the AAS Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics, we submitted a number of White Papers to the Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey (Astro2010). Several of our recommendations were incorporated into the final report. Going forward, it is important to lay the groundwork so that LAD can similarly advocate for laboratory astrophysics for Astro2020.

Professional Title/Position

Principal Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., Indian Institute of Science, 1987
• M.S., University of Hyderabad, 1981
• B.S., Nagarjuna University, 1979

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society (DPS & LAD)
• American Geophysical Union
• American Chemical Society

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Solar System Ices and Organics
• Interstellar Medium and Circumstellar Matter
• Astrochemistry and Astrobiology
• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Laboratory Astrophysics
• Photochemistry

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Member – Working Group for Laboratory Astrophysics (WGLA) of AAS representing Planetary Sciences
• Convener – Sessions, satellite meetings, and workshops at several AGU, DPS and EPSC meetings
• Lead Author – White paper to the planetary decadal survey representing WGLA
• Editor of the Book – The Science of Solar System Ices (Springer, 2012)
• Lead Organizer – International workshop “ScSSI – the Science of Solar System Ices”, Oxnard, CA, 2008
• Member – International Steering Committee of the Gordon Research Conferences on “Physics and Chemistry of Matrix-Isolated Species” 2003-2011
• Member – International Organizing Committee: International Conferences on Low Temperature Chemistry (ICLTC) 2003-2011
• Editor-in-Chief - Earth Moon and Planets & Planetary Science (Springer) since January 2009 & January 2011
• Founding Member and Former Member of Board of Directors “Indian Institute of Science Alumni Association of North America” 2007-2012

Professional Experience and Positions

• Principal Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 2007-present
• Senior Research Scientist, University of Maryland at College Park 2010-present
• Research Scientist, University of Maryland at College Park 2001-2009
• Visiting Scientist: Fritz-Haber Institute, Berlin, Germany 1995; Free University Berlin, Germany 1998;
• SRI International, Menlo Park, CA 2001-2002; NASA Ames Research Center 2002-2006
• German Research Foundation (DFG) Habilitation Fellow 1995-1998
• Research Associate (Georg Hohlneicher, University of Cologne, Germany) 1990-1995
• Postdoctoral Fellow (Josef Michl, UT Austin, TX) 1986-1989
• Research Scholar 1981-1986

Candidate Statement

As a member-at-large representing the planetary science community, I will contribute to strengthen the Laboratory Astrophysics Division, its membership, and provide a platform for the scientists who focus their research in conducting laboratory studies that enable and enhance our understanding of our Solar System and other Solar Systems in our Galaxy. With a strong background in chemistry, chemical physics, spectroscopy, and cryogenic condensed-matter (ices) sciences, I understand the critical needs of the lab astro community focusing on planetary sciences. It is my goal to provide this community a platform for exchange of ideas, building new collaborations, improving their funding scenario, and training next generation scientists.

Having my research interests also in astrophysics (interstellar ices), I will put my efforts to bring these two communities focusing on laboratory studies for astrophysics and planetary sciences together.

Professional Title/Position

Associate Professor, Astronomy Department, New Mexico State University

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., New Mexico State University, 1997
• M.A., New Mexico State University, 2008
• M.S., New Mexico State University, 1994
• B.A., Wellesley College, 1991

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Geophysical Union
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific
• Association of Women in Science
• Sigma Xi

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Planetary Atmospheres
• Instrumentation
• Astrobiology
• Data Archiving

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Member, NASA Advisory Council Planetary Science Subcommittee, 2013-present
• Member, Science Program Committee, 2013 Division for Planetary Sciences meeting, 2012-present
• Member, Program Committee, AGU Chapman Conference: Crossing the Boundaries in Planetary Atmospheres: From Earth to Exoplanets, 2012-present
• Chair, Science Program Committee, 2012 Division for Planetary Sciences meeting, 2011-2012
• Chair, Solar System Panel of Keck Observatory Time Allocation Committee, 2010-2011
• Member, Solar System Panel of Keck Observatory Time Allocation Committee, 2009-2010
• Deputy Principal Investigator, Atmospheres Node of NASA’s Planetary Data System, 2004-present
• Referee for Astrophysical Journal Letters, Astronomical Journal, Icarus, Journal of Geophysical Research – Planets, Geophysical Research Letters
• Member, Review Panels for NASA Cassini Data Analysis Program, NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship Program, NASA Discovery Program, NASA Outer Planets Research Program, NASA Planetary Atmospheres Program, NASA Planetary Astronomy Program, NSF Planetary Astronomy, NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship
• External Reviewer for NASA Cassini Data Analysis Program, NASA Planetary Mission Data Analysis Program, NASA New Frontiers Program, NASA Outer Planets Research Program, NASA Planetary Instrumentation Definition and Development Program

Professional Experience and Positions

• Associate Professor of Astronomy, New Mexico State University, 2011-present
• Assistant Professor of Astronomy, New Mexico State University, 2008-2011
• College Assistant Professor of Astronomy, New Mexico State University, 1998-2008
• Tombaugh Scholar, New Mexico State University, 2000-2001 & 2002-2003
• NRC Postdoctoral Research Associate, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 1997-1998

Candidate Statement

As a long-time user of laboratory spectroscopic data for the interpretation of imaging and spectroscopic observations of planetary atmospheres, I am acutely aware of the need for ever-improving laboratory measurements. More importantly than just the need for obtaining better laboratory data, I feel strongly that the laboratory astrophysics community should be better integrated into the observational and theoretical astronomy and planetary science communities. From the perspective of planetary science, an initial demonstration of the fruitful nature of this kind of cross-discipline communication was the integration of the laboratory contributed posters at the 2012 DPS meeting into the science sessions most closely related to their various topics. This approach, as opposed to isolating the laboratory contributions in a separate laboratory measurements poster session, led to more engaging interactions between the laboratory researchers and the observational/theoretical planetary scientists. As a LAD Committee member I would continue to work toward improving the integration of these related communities so that their respective challenges, needs, and results can be better shared and disseminated. I am also interested in ensuring that relevant laboratory data be permanently archived in the NASA’s Planetary Data System, and am willing serve as a liaison between LAD members and the PDS to enable this long-term preservation of laboratory measurements.

Professional Title/Position

Associate Professor, Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., Warsaw University, 1994
• M.S., Nicolaus Copernicus University, 1991

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Physical Society
• Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Stellar evolution
• Supernovae
• Interstellar medium
• Plasma physics
• Laboratory astrophysics

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Member, Executive Committee, High-Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics (HEDLA)
• Chair, Local Organizing Committee, 9th International Conference on High-Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics, Tallahassee, FL, U.S.A.
• Chair, Scientific Organizing Committee, 8th International Conference on High-Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
• Editor, HEDLA-08 Conference, Special Issue of Astrophysics & Space Science
• Co-Editor, HEDLA-10 Conference, Special Issue of Astrophysics & Space Science
• Referee for the Astrophysical Journal, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Journal of Computational Physics, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Member, Review Panels for Department of Energy Office of Science, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Professional Experience and Positions

• Associate Professor, Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, 2007-present
• Senior Research Associate, DOE ASC Flash Center, University of Chicago, 2003-2007
• Guest Faculty, MCS Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 2001-2007
• Research Scientist, DOE ASCI Flash Center, University of Chicago, 2001-2003
• Assistant Professor, Copernicus Astronomical Center, Warsaw, Poland, 2000-2005
• Research Associate, Copernicus Astronomical Center, Warsaw, Poland, 1996-2000
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Max-Planck-Institut fuer Astrophysik, Garching, Germany, 1994-1996
• Research Assistant, Warsaw University Observatory, Poland, 1991-1994

Candidate Statement

I am on the faculty of the Department of Scientific Computing, Florida State University. My research interests are problems of theoretical and computational astrophysics, fluid dynamics, high-energy density physics, and code verification and validation. In particular, together with my collaborators and a group of graduate and undergraduate students, I study the physics of explosive stellar phenomena and work on designing and analyzing the results of high-energy density plasma experiments related to supernova studies. These astrophysical and experimental systems challenge us to understand basic physics processes of fluid flow instabilities and radiation-matter interaction, among many others.

If elected, I will provide support for the established and help identifying new research areas in high-energy density laboratory astrophysics. I will work to increase and broaden the appeal of laboratory astrophysics to astronomers, astrophysicists, national laboratories, and funding agencies, and develop outreach activities to attract students and share our results with general public. I believe there are many unexplored opportunities in this area.

Professional Title/Position

Professor of Radio Astronomy, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., Harvard University, 1975
• B.A., Harvard College, 1971
• Diploma, Eaton High School, Eaton, Ohio, 1967

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society, and its divisions DPS and LAD
• American Geophysical Union
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific
• International Astronomical Union
• Royal Astronomical Society (UK)
• Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg
• Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, foreign member

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Atomic and molecular astrophysics in all its variety, but especially interstellar matter, comets, upper and transient atmospheres of planets, stellar winds, and photoionized nebulae
• Laboratory astrophysics, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, molecular databases, and public-domain tools for interpreting non-LTE spectra

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Observing Program Committee, European Southern Observatory, ESO, 2000-2002
• Observing Committee, Institut de Radio Astronomie Millimétrique, IRAM, 1996-2000
• Steering committee, International Astronomical Union Working Group on Astrochemistry, 1996-2010
• Space Science Research Committee, Swedish National Space Board, 1998-2001
• Overseas interviewer for undergraduate admissions, Harvard College, 1996-current
• Scientific organizing committees for various meetings and workshops, many of them relating to astrochemistry

Professional Experience and Positions

• Assistant Professor, School of Physics, University of Minnesota, 1975-1978
• Research Associate (1978-1983) and Lecturer (1980-1983), Harvard University
• Associate Professor (1983-1989) and Professor of Astronomy (1989-1996), University of Arizona
• Short-term visiting positions since 2000: University of California, Berkeley (2008); Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton NJ (2004, 1987); Observatoire de Paris (2003, 2000); École Normale Supérieure, Paris (2002)

Candidate Statement

The founders of the Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) did us all a great service by establishing this division within the AAS. I want to support their efforts by serving on the LAD Committee. My own research depends heavily on having accurate and comprehensive spectroscopic data for atoms and molecules. I have worked together with physical chemists and atomic/molecular/optical physicists and can understand some of their dialects. There are several issues facing laboratory astrophysics that require attention: (1) the exploding needs for data driven by new astronomical facilities, especially in the infrared and sub-mm-wave parts of the spectrum; (2) the need to balance quality and quantity in databases; (3) the need to organize adequate support and recognition (citations, in particular) for laboratory work that benefits us; and (4) the need to educate our students and colleagues about the finer points of spectroscopy and atomic and molecular processes. The LAD is well placed to address these matters.

Professional Title/Position

Research Associate, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/CRESST/University of Maryland Baltimore County

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., Columbia University, 2006
• M.Phil., Columbia University, 2000
• M.A., Columbia University, 2000
• B.A., University of Wisconsin, 1998

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• X-ray spectroscopy and atomic physics
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Massive stars and their winds
• X-ray detectors and optics

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Member, Astro-H Science Working Group
• Referee for The Astrophysical Journal and Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Member of review panels for Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories, ROSES ADAP solicitation

Professional Experience and Positions

• Research Associate, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/CRESST/University of Maryland Baltimore County, 2010-present
• NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, 2007-2010
• Postdoctoral Scientist, Swarthmore College, 2007
• Postdoctoral Scientist, Columbia University, 2006-2007
• Research Assistant, Columbia University, 2000-2005
• Teaching Assistant, Columbia University, 1998-2000

Candidate Statement

The creation of a new laboratory astrophysics division in the AAS is an indication of the increasing importance of experimental and theoretical atomic, molecular, and nuclear physics in the interpretation of astronomical observations. Unfortunately, the level of funding available for investigations in these fields is not commensurate with the importance of the problems. I believe that state-of-the-art observatories should receive robust laboratory astrophysics support in order to maximize the science return of these costly endeavors. If elected as member-at-large, I will advocate for increased NSF and NASA funding for laboratory astrophysics, and in particular for a fixed fraction of major facility funding to be set aside for supporting laboratory work.

Professional Title/Position

Physics Professor, Physics Department, Syracuse University

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D. (Physics), Pennsylvania State University, 1982
• Doctorate in Physics, University of Genoa (Italy), 1977

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Physical Society (Fellow)
• International Astronomical Union
• American Chemical Society
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Sigma Xi

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Experimental: Laboratory astrophysics (physics & chemistry of the interstellar medium and of planetary atmospheres), surface physics, low temperature physics, and chemical physics
• Theoretical: theory of the atom-surface interaction; statistical mechanics of two-dimensional matter, modeling of reactions occurring at surfaces

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Vice-president of the AAUP Syracuse University Chapter, current
• Chair of the Senate Committee on the Library, AY 2011-2012
• Secretary/Treasurer of the NYSS-APS, 2009-2017
• Chair of the Tenure and Promotion Committee Art & Sciences, AY 2009-2010
• Chair of the Working Group on Solids and Their Surfaces of the International Astronomical Union Commission 14 on Atomic and Molecular Data, 2008-current
• Member of the Senate Committee on the Library, 2008-current
• Member of the American Physical Society Committee on Informing the Public, 2007-2010
• Member of the Tenure and Promotion Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences, 2004-2007; 2009-2011
• Member of the Chancellor’s Health-Care Advisory Committee, 2003-current
• Past voting member of the American Physical Society Council. 2003-2006
• Co-chair of the Senate Committee on Services to Faculty and Staff, 2001-2007
• Senator of the Syracuse University Senate, 2001-2007; 2008-2010; 2012-2014
• Chair of the New York State Section of the American Physical Society, 2001-2002
• Organizer/co-organizer of meetings/workshops at: Princeton University (1990), New York State Section of APS (Syracuse University, 2008), Cornell University, Pacifichem (Hawaii, 2011), Astrochem
• Workshop (Kolkata, India, 2012), 1st Workshop on Experimental Laboratory Astrophysics (Kauai, HI) (2013), 40th COSPAR Scientific Assembly (Moscow, 2014)
• Regular reviewer for: Astrophysical Journal and Letters, Astronomy & Astrophysics, MNRAS, Physical Review B and E and Physical Review Letters, Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal of Physical Chemistry, PCCP
• Member of panels and/or reviewer of proposals for: NASA (APRA, Origins of Solar Systems, Cosmochemistry, SOFIA, Astrophysics Data Program), NSF (Astronomy & Astrophysics, Materials Science, EPSCoR), CUNY, NWO Astrochemistry Programme (the Netherlands), CNRS (France), Petroleum Research Fund, Cottrell Research Grants

Professional Experience and Positions

• Professor of Physics, Syracuse University, 1998-present
• Adjunct Astronomer, Observatoire de Paris, Fall 2012
• Forensic & National Security Science Institute Affiliated Faculty (SU), 2010-present
• Visiting Professor at the Université de Cergy-Pontoise 8/2000; 6/2009; 6/2010, 6/2011
• Visiting Faculty, NASA Astrobiology Institute, University of Hawaii, 2/2008-3/2008
• Associate Professor of Physics, Syracuse University, 1990-1998
• Visiting Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University, Spring 1995
• Visiting Research Fellow, Princeton University, Fall 1990
• Assistant Professor of Physics, Syracuse University, 1984-1990
• Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, 1986
• Post-doctoral position at Caltech, 1982-1984

Candidate Statement

My commitment to the American Astronomical Society and the Laboratory Astrophysics Division is strong. I believe in the power of experimentation and would like to raise the profile of laboratory astrophysics not only within the AAS but also with the science community at large. It is important that we build a space, physical and metaphorical, where we can interact with scientists from other disciplines who can bring the tools and expertise to work on astrophysics problems of mutual interest. I want to increase communication with astronomers, theoreticians and modelers so our laboratory work can best be used for advancing research in astrophysics and astronomy.