Professional Title/Position

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
• American Physical Society (Fellow)
• International Astronomical Union

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Atomic and molecular physics
• Electron collisions with atomic and molecular cations
• Neutral atom reactions with atomic anions and molecular cations
• Space weathering of airless planetary bodies
• Plasma simulations of solar coronal holes
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Astrobiology
• Astrochemistry
• Hypersonic chemistry
• Solar coronal observations

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Secretary, AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Division, 2013-2016
• Acting Secretary, AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Division Steering Committee, 2012-2013
• 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
• 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
• 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: Astronomical Journal; Astronomy and Astrophysics; Astrophysical Journal Letters; Astrophysical Journal; Astrophysical Journal Supplemental Series; Canadian Journal of Physics; Journal of Plasma and Fusion Research Series; Journal of Chemistry Letters; Journal of Physics: Conference Series; Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; Nature; Physica Scripta; Physical Review A; Physical Review Letters; Reports on Progress in Physics; and Review of Modern Physics
• Review Panels: Department of Energy Opportunities in Basic Plasma Science; German Research Foundation; European Research Council Starting Grant Program; UK Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council; NASA Astronomy and Physics Research and Analysis Program; NASA Astrophysics Theory Program/Beyond Einstein Foundation Science; NASA Herschel Theoretical Research and Laboratory Astrophysics Programs; NASA Heliophysics Guest Observatory Program; 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; NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program; 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

LAD is youngest division of the AAS and rich with potential. As Secretary of LAD for the past three years I have worked to grow the Division, both in terms of scope and membership. That work continues and one of my goals for the next three years is to continue to grow the division to its fullest. LAD also offers a unique platform to advocate for support for laboratory astrophysics, both nationally and worldwide. Over the next three years I plan to help lay the groundwork so that LAD can advocate for laboratory astrophysics for the National Academy of Sciences' Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey 2020 (Astro2020).

Professional Title/Position

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D. in Physics, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1983
• Lic. in Physics, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1976

Affiliations

• Fellow of the American Physical Society
• Member of the American Astronomical Society

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Atomic and radiation physics of high-energy density plasmas
• Stark broadening of spectral line shapes in plasmas
• X-ray spectroscopy of plasmas
• Laboratory and astrophysical photoionized plasmas
• Laboratory astrophysics

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Frontier Science at the National Ignition Facility, Pleasanton, California, October 4-6, 1999.

Organized the Radiative Properties Working Group.

• 12th APS Topical Conference on Atomic Processes in Plasmas, Reno, Nevada, March 19-23, 2000. Chair of the Local Committee and Secretary of the Program Committee.
• 13th APS Topical Conference on Atomic Processes in Plasmas, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, April 22- 25, 2002. Member of the Program Committee.
• 16th International Conference on Spectral Line Shapes, Berkeley, California, June 3-7, 2002. Member of the Organizing Committee.
• 10th International Workshop on Radiative Properties of Hot Dense Matter, September 16-20, 2002, St. Malo, France. Member of the Organizing Committee.
• American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics Annual Meeting, October 27-November 3, 2003, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Member of the Program Committee.
• 14th American Physical Society Topical Meeting on Atomic Processes in Plasmas, Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 19-22, 2004. Member of the Program Committee.
• 11th International Workshop on Radiative Properties of Hot Dense Matter, Santa Barbara, California, November 1-5, 2004. Chair of the Organizing Committee.
• 12th International Workshop on Radiative Properties of Hot Dense Matter, Albufeiras, Portugal, September 11-15, 2006. Member of the Program Committee.
• 13th International Workshop on Radiative Properties of Hot Dense Matter, Santa Barbara, California, November 10-15, 2008. Chair of the Organizing Committee.
• American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics Annual Meeting, November 1-November 6, 2009, Atlanta, Georgia. Member of the Program Committee.
• 8th International Conference on High Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics, Pasadena, California, March 15-18, 2010. Member of the Program Committee.
• 9th International Conference on High Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics, Talahassee, Florida, May 2012. Member of the Program Committee.
• 14th International Workshop on Radiative Properties of Hot Dense Matter, Santa Barbara, California, November 2012. Member of the Organizing Committee.
• 10th International Conference on High Energy Density Laboratory Astrophysics, Bordeaux, France, May 2014. Member of the Program Committee.
• 15th International Workshop on Radiative Properties of Hot Dense Matter, Vienna, Austria, September 2014. Member of the Organizing Committee.
• 17th International Conference on Atomic Processes in Plasmas, Paris, France, April 5-8, 2016. Member of the Executive Committee.


• Member of the Editorial Board of High Energy Density Physics, an international peer-reviewed journal published by Elsevier, 2007-present.
• Referee: Physical Review Letters, Physical Review A, Physical Review B, Physical Review E, Physics of Plasmas, Journal of Physics B, Journal of Physics D, Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Journal of the Optical Society of America, Physica Scripta, Nature Physics, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science.
• Reviewer: Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, National Nuclear Security Administration, and SLAC National Accelerator Center, Linac Coherent Light Source. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Center for International Security Affairs. U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation. Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency. National Science Foundation.
• Co-lead of the panel on High-Energy Density Atomic Physics for the Department of Energy High-Energy Density Science ReNeW Workshop, 2009.
• Vice-Chair of the High-Energy Density Science Association, 2010.
• Member of the review panel of the Center for Radiative Shocks at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2010-2011.
• Chair of the High-Energy Density Science Association, 2011.
• Member the Laboratory Astrophysics panel of the National Ignition Facility Science Workshop, Washington, D.C. 2011.
• Member of the X-ray Radiation Transport and Ablation Physics panel of the Workshop on the Science of Fusion Ignition on NIF, San Ramon, CA 2012.
• Member of the international working group to develop the academic scientific objectives and research program for the LMJ/Petal project in France in the area of laboratory astrophysics, 2013-2014.
• Co-editor of a special issue of Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
• (IOP) dedicated to "Spectroscopy of Transient Plasmas", 2014-2015.
• Member of the Inertial Confinement Fusion Deep Dive review panel of the U.S. Department of Energy, 2015.
• Member of the National Implosion Stagnation Physics steering committee of the U.S. Department of Energy, 2015-2016.
• Member of the Executive Committee of the OMEGA Laser Users' Group, 2009-2015.
• Chair of the Executive Committee of the OMEGA Laser Users' Group, 2016-2018.

Professional Experience and Positions

• Teaching and Research Assistant, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1977-1983.
• Profesor Adjunto, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1983-1984.
• Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Florida, 1985-1990.
• Research Scientist, University of Florida, 1991-1993.
• Appointed to the Graduate Studies Faculty, University of Florida, 1992.
• Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 1993-1996.
• Appointed to the Graduate Faculty, University of Nevada, Reno, 1994.
• Associate Professor of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 1996-2003.
• Vice-Chair, Physics Department, University of Nevada, Reno, 1999-2004.
• Professor of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, 2003-present.
• Faculty Sabbatical Appointment, Sandia National Laboratories, 2004-2005.
• Associate Dean for Research, College of Science, Univ. of Nevada, Reno, 2006-2007.
• Chair, Physics Department, University of Nevada, Reno, 2007- 2010.
• Visiting Scientist: Laboratory LULI, Ecole Polytechnique, France, July 1994/95/96/97/98/99.
• Visiting Scientist: Max Planck Institute fuer Quantenoptik, Germany, July 2001.

Candidate Statement

The Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) is the youngest division of the American Astronomical Society. It brings together scientists with diverse backgrounds who are interested in exploring theory and laboratory experiments to advance our understanding of the universe. Being a member of the leadership of LAD will give me an opportunity to contribute with a modeling and laboratory experiments perspective. As Treasurer, I will strive to efficiently administer the funds of LAD and make sure that LAD's prizes and awards are appropriately funded.

Professional Title/Position

Degrees and Education

• PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1977
• BS, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1970

Affiliations

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

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• X-ray, UV, Optical Spectroscopy
• Shock Waves
• Magnetic Reconnection
• Solar Corona
• Supernova Remnants
• X-ray Binaries
• Comets

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Ombudsman, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
• FUSE Observer's Advisory Committee (1999-2000)
• Plasma Science Committee, NRC (2014-present)
• Science Definition Team (ART)
• Technical Review Committee, LLNL V Division (1994-2009)
• EAC Advisory Committee, LANL, (1995)
• External Review Panel for Space Research and Technology, NRL (2005)
• SHINE Steering Committee (2005-2008)
• Peer Review Panels for NASA and NSF

Professional Experience and Positions

• Research Associate, Harvard College Observatory 1976-1980
• Physicist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 1980-present
• Lecturer, Harvard Summer School 1982, 1984
• Associate Director SSP Division, SAO 1991-1996
• Minneart Professor, Utrecht University 2010

Candidate Statement

Laboratory astrophysics has long played an important role in spectroscopic studies at all wavelengths. More recently, laboratory plasma experiments and numerical simulations have reached the parameter regimes relevant to understanding processes such as magnetic reconnection and shock waves in astrophysical settings. As a Member-at-Large of the AAS LAD committee, I would work to increase the awareness and understanding of laboratory results by the astronomy community.

Professional Title/Position

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D, University of California, Irvine, 1984
• B.S., University of New Mexico, 1978

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Physical Society (Fellow)

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• High Energy Density Physics
• Plasma Spectroscopy
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Inertial fusion

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Editorial Board member, High Energy Density Physics
• Member, Science Organizing Committee, International Workshop on Radiative Properties of Hot Dense Plasmas
• Referee: Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer; Nature; Physical Review A, E; Physical Review Letters; High Energy Density Physics, Reviews of Scientific Instruments
• Review Panels: Department of Energy ReNeW panel on HEDLP.

Professional Experience and Positions

• Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, 2004-present
• Principal Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories, 1985-2004
• Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1983-1985

Candidate Statement

Opportunities to advance laboratory astrophysics have never been more abundant. However, there are many obstacles that may prevent our field from taking full advantage of these opportunities. I am particularly interested in collaborations between astrophysics and high energy density physics, where the challenges and possibilities are both formidable. I perceive the Laboratory Astrophysics Division of the AAS as a forum that can help us navigate these problems and will do what I can to assist the process.

Professional Title/Position

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D, University of Chicago, 2001
• M.S., University of Chicago, 1996
• B.S., California Institute of Technology, 1995

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Chemical Society
• American Physical Society (Fellow)
• International Astronomical Union
• Optical Society of America (Fellow)

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Laboratory molecular spectroscopy
• High-precision, high-sensitivity laser spectroscopy techniques
• Astronomical molecular spectroscopy
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Astrochemistry

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Chair, International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy, 2013-present
• Section Chair, American Chemical Society, East Central Illinois, 2011
• Founder and Chair, Midwest Astrochemistry Consortium, 2007-2012
• Member, Scientific Advisory Board, MIRTHE NSF Engineering Research Center, 2011-present
• Meeting Secretary, Royal Society Discussion Meetings on H₃⁺ (2006, 2012)
• Referee: Applied Optics; Astronomy and Astrophysics; Astrophysical Journal; Chemical Physics Letters; Journal of Chemical Physics; Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy; Journal of the Optical Society of America; Journal of Physical Chemistry; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; Nature; Optics Express; Optics Letters; Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Academy of Sciences; Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics; Physical Review Letters; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; Review of Scientific Instruments; Science
• Grant Proposal Reviewer (partial list): NSF, NASA, ARO, U.S. CRDF, Swedish NSB, Swiss NSF, German DFG

Professional Experience and Positions

• Professor of Chemistry and Astronomy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2014-present
• Associate Professor of Chemistry and Astronomy, UIUC, 2011-2014
• Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Astronomy, UIUC, 2004-2011
• Affiliate, Department of Physics, UIUC, 2007-present
• Miller Research Fellow, Departments of Chemistry and Astronomy, University of California at Berkeley, 2001-2004
• Hertz Fellow, Departments of Chemistry and Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Chicago, 1995-2001

Candidate Statement

As someone who has straddled the fields of astrophysics, chemistry, and molecular physics since I started graduate school, I would be honored to serve the LAD and help promote the intersection between laboratory astrophysics, laboratory astrochemistry, and molecular astronomy.

Professional Title/Position

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D, University of Manchester, 1993
• M.Sc., University of Manchester,1990
• B.Sc (Hons), University of Durham,1988

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• Royal Astronomical Society (Fellow)

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Astrochemistry
• Isotope chemistry
• Protostellar disk chemistry and planet formation
• Planetary atmospheres

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Referee: Astronomical Journal; Astronomy and Astrophysics; Astrophysical Journal Letters; Astrophysical Journal; Astrophysical Journal Supplemental Series
• Review Panels: NASA Origins of Solar Systems

Professional Experience and Positions

• Research Scientist, JPL, 2000-present
• Lecturer, Caltech, 2007-2008
• Postdoctoral Research Scientist, JPL, 1998-1999
• Postdoctoral Research Scientist, University of Manchester, 1995-1998
• Postdoctoral Research Scientist, University of Edinburgh, 1993-1995

Professional Title/Position

• Tenured Astronomer, National Radio Astronomy Observatory
• Deputy Program Scientist North American ALMA Science Center
• ALMA Subsystem Scientist for CASA (data reduction software)

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D, Physics, University of Kentucky, 2000
• B.A., Phyiscs, James Madison University, 1993

Affiliations

• Adjunct Faculty, University of Virginia Astronomy Department
• American Astronomical Society
• International Union of Radio Science

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Massive Star Formation
• Super Star Cluster Formation
• Astrochemistry
• Triggered Star Formation
• The Interstellar Medium
• Supernova Remnants

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Member, Virtual Astronomy Observatory Science Council, 2011-2013
• Member, Astro2010 Program Prioritization Panel for Radio, Millimeter, and Submillimeter Astronomy, 2009-2010
• Member, ALMA North American Science Advisory Committee 2005-2006
• Reviewer (Grants), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant, European Research Council Consolidator Grant, NASA Origins, CONICYT ALMA Fund for Development of Chilean
• Astronomy, National Science Foundation - AST
• Reviewer (Time Allocation), SOFIA, Spitzer, VLA/VLBA, JCMT, GMRT
• Reviewer (Fellowships), Hubble Post-doctoral Fellowship, NASA Post-doctoral Fellowship, NAASC Post-doctoral Fellowship

Science Organizing Committees:

• "The Local Truth: Star Formation and Feedback in the SOFIA Era", 2016
• "Half a Decade of ALMA: Cosmic Dawns Transformed", 2016 (Chair)
• "Molecular Gas in Galactic Environments", 2016
• "Filamentary Structure in Molecular Clouds", 2014
• "Multiwavelength-surveys: Galaxy Formation and Evolution from the Early Universe to Today", 2014
• "The First Year of ALMA Science", 2012
• "Outflows, Winds and Jets: from Young Stars to Supermassive Black Holes", 2012
• "Building on New Worlds, New Horizons: New Science from Millimeter to Meter Wavelengths", 2011
• "From Data Cubes to Science: Ancillary Data and Advanced Tools for ALMA", 2009


• Referee: The Astronomical Journal, Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Astrophysical Journal Letters, The Astrophysical Journal, The Astrophysical Journal Supplemental Series, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Nature

Professional Experience and Positions

• Associate Tenured Astronomer, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2011-2013
• Associate Astronomer, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2008-2011
• Assistant Astronomer, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2006-2008
• Adjunct Professor of Astronomy, University of Virginia, 2006-present
• James Clerk Maxwell Telescope Fellow, Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, 2003-2006
• Jansky Postdoctoral Fellow, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2000-2003
• Research Assistant, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Kentucky, 1996-2000
• NASA/EPSCoR Kentucky Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellow, 1996-2000
• National Radio Astronomy Observatory Graduate Summer Student, 1999
• Teaching Assistant, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Kentucky, 1993-1996

Candidate Statement

Laboratory astrophysics underpins all aspects of astronomical research. From new rest frequencies for atomic and molecular species to improved collision and reaction rates, much of our research would be impossible, or at least stagnant, without an active and vibrant lab astrophysics community. This is particularly true if we are to harness the fantastic new discovery opportunities presented by new telescopes like ALMA and the JVLA, as well as the upcoming JWST, and SKA telescopes. Much of the new discovery space of these instruments lies in the spectral domain, directly through the potential identification of new astronomical species, and indirectly through the ability to make the detection of astronomical spectral lines truly diagnostic of physical conditions, chemistry, and 3-dimensional morphology. The creation of the Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) within the AAS represents a fantastic new opportunity to increase dialog between those already interested and working in this area, as well as educate the wider astronomical community about the important work and achievements ongoing in lab astrophysics. While I do not work in the area of laboratory astrophysics directly, its products and success are critical for my personal research, as well as the ultimate science productivity of ALMA (for which I am the deputy program scientist for North America). As a member of the LAD committee in the Member-at-Large category, I would strive to (1) increase the LAD membership; (2) educate the wider community of our efforts, offerings, and importance; (3) promote LAD to the public and funding agencies; and (4) in particular act as a bridge between the LAD and the ALMA users community.

Professional Title/Position

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D, University of Arizona, 2007
• B.S. (summa cum laude), Kansas Wesleyan University, 2002

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society (DPS, LAD)
• American Chemical Society (Physical Chemistry, Astrochemistry)

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Millimeter/Submillimeter astronomy (star formation, comets, interstellar, circumstellar)
• Isotopes in the Galaxy (primitive bodies, evolved stars, star formation)
• Ice/Surface processing
• Laboratory astrophysics
• Astrobiology
• Astrochemistry

Services, Roles, and Activities

• AAS Laboratory Astrophysics Division Member, 2012-current
• AAS Division for Planetary Science Member, 2008-current
• AAS Member, 2004-current
• AAS Council Nomination, 2015
• Far Infrared Surveyor Science and Technology Definition Team (Solar System lead), 2015- current
• Hubble Space Telescope Solar System Advisory Committee, 2013 - 2014
• Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group - Science Analysis Group #9 (Solar System lead), 2014
• SOC for Frontiers of ACS Astrochemistry Symposium: Solar System Chemistry - Planets to Comets and Beyond, Aug. 2016, Philadelphia, PA.
• SOC/LOC and chair for "From interstellar ices to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A symposium to honor Lou Allamandola's contributions to the molecular Universe", Sept. 13-17, 2015, Annapolis, MD.
• SOC for FarIR Surveyor Workshop, June 3-5, 2015, Beckman Institute at Caltech.
• LOC for International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions, Nov 4-7, 2014, GSFC.
• SOC and Session Chair for Ground and space observatories: a joint venture to the Solar System and exoplanets, March 2015, Chile.
• SOC Lorentz Center Workshop "Isotopes in Astrochemistry: An Interstellar Heritage for Solar System Materials?" Leiden, NL, December 2011.
• Participation in planning and carrying out observations using numerous telescopic facilities (ALMA, Herschel Space Observatory, SOFIA, ARO 12m and Submillimeter telescopes, NRAO GBT, JCMT, APEX, and IRAM 30m) from 2002-present.
• Referee: Astronomical Journal; Astrophysical Journal; Astronomy & Astrophysics; Journal of Chemical Physics; Astrophysics and Space Science; Reports on Progress in Physics; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; Icarus
• Review Panels: NASA Astronomy and Physics Research and Analysis Program; NASA Astrophysics Data Analysis; NASA Planetary Atmospheres/Astronomy Programs; NASA Emerging Worlds; NASA Origins of the Solar System; NASA Earth and Space Sciences Fellowship; NSF Division of Astronomy; L'Agence nationale de la recherché (French National Research Agency; United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation; Atacama Large Millimeter Array Time Allocation Committee; Spitzer Time Allocation Committee

Professional Experience and Positions

• James Webb Space Telescope Deputy Project Scientist for Planetary Science, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, July 2014 - current
• James Webb Space Telescope Planetary Science Liaison, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, March 2012 - July 2014
• Research Physical Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, February 2010 - present
• Principal Investigator, SETI Institute at NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, October 2009 - January 2010
• Research Associate, SETI Institute at NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, October 2007 - January 2010

Candidate Statement

My goal for being a Member-at-Large of the Division Committee is to represent multidisciplinary scientists and those from more focused communities, in particular planetary astronomy. My observational experience and involvement with current/future missions and observatories gives me a unique perspective of the laboratory needs for the analysis and interpretation of astronomical data.

As a scientist involved in both astrophysical and planetary science research, I can provide a unique perspective into the distinct and common needs of both communities and bridge the gap in future initiatives. By bridging this gap, the community resources/facilities are more fully utilized. Thus, a more integrated society, that supports all sub-disciplines working on focused goals and missions, will be more efficient and successful. Additionally, I think the broader astronomical community should focus on the theoretical and laboratory needs to advance the return on investment for current research assets (facilities, observatories, laboratories, etc).

Professional Title/Position

Degrees and Education

• Ph.D., 1998, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
• M.S., 1995, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
• B.S., 1993, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY

Affiliations

• American Astronomical Society
• American Chemical Society
• American Geophysical Union
• Asia-Oceania Geosciences Society
• International Astronomical Union

Research Areas, Topics, and Interests

• Astrobiology
• Astrochemistry
• Comets, Icy Satellites, Pluto, Kuiper Belt Objects
• Infrared Astronomy
• Infrared Spectroscopy of Cryogenic Solids
• Laboratory Astrophysics
• Photochemistry
• Radiation Chemistry

Services, Roles, and Activities

• Member, Local Organizing Committee, From interstellar ices to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A symposium to honor Lou Allamandola's contributions to the molecular Universe, 2015
• Session Organizer, Astrobiology Science Conference, 2015
• Session Organizer, Asia-Oceania Geosciences Society Meeting, 2006
• Session Organizer, Asia-Oceania Geosciences Society Meeting, 2005
• Member, Local Organizing Committee, AAS Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting #34, 2002
• Panel Reviewer for a variety of NASA Planetary Science Division programs and other funding organizations, including the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research in Physics (NWO), the German Research Foundation, the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences, and the SOFIA Science Panel.
• Referee for international journals in the fields of astronomy, chemistry, physics, and planetary science, including Astrobiology, Astronomy and Astrophysics, the Astrophysical Journal, Chemical Physics Letters, Icarus, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Nature, and Science.

Professional Experience and Positions

• Astrochemist, Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (2010 - present)
• Faculty Member, Department of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2000 - present)
• Adjunct Instructor of Physics and Astronomy (2012 - present)
• Associate Professor (2006 - 2010)
• Assistant Professor (2000 - 2006; tenured in 2006)
• NAS/NRC Research Associate, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (1998 - 2000)

Candidate Statement

I have been active in studies of planetary ice analogs since 1993 and have established and maintained three laboratories over the course of my career. The results of my work have had implications for astrochemistry, astrobiology, infrared astronomy, radiation chemistry, and planetary science. The connections between laboratory astrophysics and planetary science has long been an important component of my career. As Member-At-Large for the Laboratory Astrophysics Division, I will work with the Officers and the Committee to ensure that matters related to planetary science are properly represented within the Division and that laboratory astrophysics is maintained as a valued component of the American Astronomical Society.