About the Department
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-2844
Fax: Business Hours M-F (831) 459-5265
Alternate Weekend Fax: (831) 426-3115
Email: dept [at] astro [dot] ucsc [dot] edu
Maps & Directions
Honors and Awards
Faculty: External Prizes and Awards
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Astronomical Society
American Astronautical Society
American Physical Society
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Ernest O Lawrence Award
Franklin Institute
Kavli Prize, Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Packard Fellowship
Princeton University Madison Medal
Royal Astronomical Society
Sloan Fellowship
top
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies and a center for independent policy research. The following members of the Astronomy Department at UCSC have been honored as elected members:
- Sandra Faber
- Doug Lin
- Claire Max
- Joseph Miller
- Doug Lin
- Stan Woosley
top
American Astronomical Society
Beatrice M Tinsley Prize
Awarded for outstanding research contribution,exceptionally creative or innovative character.
- Steve Vogt (2002)
Dannie Heineman Prize - Astrophysics
Awarded jointly by the American Institute of Physics and the American Astronomical Society. It was established in 1979, to recognize outstanding work in the field of astrophysics.
- Sandra Faber (1985)
- Jerry Nelson (1995)
Helen B Warner Prize
Awarded for a significant contribution to observational or theoretical astronomy during the five years preceding the award.
- Robert Kraft (1962)
Henry Norris Russel Lectureship
Chosen on the basis of a lifetime of eminence in astronomical research.
- Robert Kraft (1995)
- Donald Osterbrook (1991)
- Albert Whitford (1986)
Rossi Prize - High Energy Astrophysics Division
Awarded for a significant contribution to High Energy Astrophysics, with particular emphasis on recent, original work.
- Stan Woosley (2005)
Urey Prize - Division for Planetary Sciences
The Urey Prize recognizes and encourages outstanding achievements in planetary sciences by a young scientist.
- Jonathan Fortney (2010)
American Astronautical Society
Carl Sagan Memorial Award
Given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in research or policies advancing exploration of the Cosmos.
- Steve Vogt (2002)
California and Carnegie
Planet Search Team
American Physical Society
Hans A. Bethe Prize
To recognize outstanding work in theory, experiment or observation in the areas of astrophysics, nuclear
physics, nuclear astrophysics, or closely related fields.
-
Stan Woosley (2005)
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal
ASP's highest award is the Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal, awarded for a lifetime of
outstanding research in astronomy.
- Robert Kraft (2005)
- Albert Whitford (1996)
- Donald Osterbrock (1991)
Muhlmann Award
Given for recent significant observational results made possible by innovative advances in
astronomical instrumentation, software, or observational infrastructure.
- Harland Epps, as part of the NICMOS Team (2003)
- Steve Vogt (1995)
Ernest O Lawrence Award
The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award is presented by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy to scientists and engineers, at mid-career, for exceptional contributions to the development, use, control, or production of energy in basic and applied research supporting the Department of Energy and its mission to advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States.
- Claire Max (2004)
Franklin Institute
Bower Award
This award honors individuals whose great innovation has benefited humanity, advanced science, launched new fields of inquiry, and deepened our understanding of the universe. They are among the oldest and most prestigious comprehensive science awards in the world.
-
Sandra Faber (2009)
Kavli Prize, Astrophysics, Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
The Kavli Prizes were established to recognize truly exceptional scientists whose research has fundamentally and profoundly advanced our understanding of astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.
- Jerry Nelson (2010) *shared with Roger Angel and Ray Wilson
top
National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
Members are elected annually in recognition of their distinguished achievements in original research;
election is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a scientist or engineer. The following members of the Astronomy Department at UCSC have been honored as elected members:
- Sandra Faber
- Robert Kraft
- Claire Max
- Jerry Nelson
- Stan Woosley
National Science Foundation (NSF)
CAREER Awardee
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacherscholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and
research within the context of the mission of their organizations.
- Mark Krumholz (2010)
- Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2009)
- Xavier Prochaska (2006)
- Greg Laughlin (2005)
Packard Fellowship
In 1988, the Foundation established the Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering to allow the nation's most promising professors to pursue science and engineering research early in their careers with few funding restrictions and limited paperwork requirements.
- Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2008)
- Connie Rockosi (2006)
Princeton University Madison Medal
The Madison Medal is named for the fourth president of the United States and the person many consider Princeton’s first graduate student. Established by the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni, it is presented each year by the University to an alumnus or alumna of the Graduate School who has had a distinguished career, advanced the cause of graduate education or achieved an outstanding record of public service.
- Claire Max (2009)
top
Royal Astronomical Society
The Gold Medal
The Gold Medal is the highest award of the Royal Astronomical Society.
- Donald Osterbrock (1997)
Honorary Fellow
- Doug Lin (2010)
Sloan Fellowship
These fellowships are awarded to early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field.
- Jonathan Fortney (2010)
- Mark Krumholz (2009)
- Raja Guha Thakurta (1997)
- Sandra Faber (1977)
Faculty: UCSC Prizes and Awards
Berkeley Medal
In 1981, the Berkeley Medal was established as the University’s top honor. It is bestowed on individuals of exceptionally distinguished achievements whose work or contributions to society illustrate the ideals of the University and contribute to its goals, and whose careers have manifestly benefited the public well beyond the demands of tradition, rank, or direct service to the University.
- Joseph Miller (2007)
Outstanding Faculty Award - Division of Physical and Biological Sciences
This award is the division's highest honor, recognizing faculty excellence in research, teaching, and service.
- Doug Lin (2008)
- Stan Woosley (2004)
Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Diversity
The Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Diversity honor and showcase people and programs that have made outstanding contributions to furthering diversity at UC Santa Cruz.
- Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2010)
- Adriane Steinacker (2009)
Excellence in Teaching Awards
Faculty members are honored for their exemplary and inspiring teaching.
- Adriane Steinacker (2007)
Faculty Research Lecturer
The selection is the foremost academic research honor bestowed by UCSC's Academic Senate.
- Stan Woosley (2007)
- Donald Osterbrook (1997)
- Sandra Faber (1990)
- Robert Kraft (1981)
- Albert Whitford (1968)
Graduate Students: External Prizes and Awards
AAUW (American Association of University Women)
ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists)
Chandra Fellowship
Hubble Fellowship
Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics Fellowship
Michelson Graduate Fellowship (NASA)
Miller Institute Fellowship
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Spitzer Fellowship
AAUW (American Association of University Women)
The AAUW supports and advances educational opportunities for women, and its competitive dissertation fellowship is part of the AAUW’s mission to “recognize outstanding women around the globe” and fund “pioneering research” related to women.
- Laura Lopez (2010)
ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists)
The ARCS Foundation provides scholarships to academically outstanding United States citizens studying to complete their degrees in science, medicine and engineering, thereby contributing to the worldwide advancement of science and technology.
- Javiera Guedes (2010)
- Laura Lopez (2010)
- Kate Rubins (2009)
- Genevieve Graves (2008)
- Jay Strader (2006)
- David Lai (2005)
- Sarah Martell (2004)
- Justin Howell (2002)
- Phillip Choi (2001)
- Anouk Shambrook (2000)
- Kurtis Williams (2000)
- Anthony Gonzales (1999)
- Natalie Stout-Batalha (1995)
- Rob Hoffman (1994)
- Michael Keane (1993)
Chandra Fellowship
The NASA-sponsored Chandra Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for highly qualified, recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research that is broadly related to the goals of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO) satellite. As of 2009, the Chandra and Fermi Fellowships have become part of the Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
- Jeremy Heyl (2004)
- Weiquin Zhang (2004)
Hubble Fellowship
Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports outstanding postdoctoral scientists whose research is broadly related to NASA Cosmic Origins scientific goals as addressed by any of the missions in this program: the Herschel Space Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope (HST), James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), and the Spitzer Space Telescope.
- Karoline Gilbert (2010)
- Mark Ammons (2009)
- Evan Kirby (2009)
- Genevieve Graves (2009)
- Jay Strader (2007)
- Jason Harris (2003)
- Maria Geh (2003)
- Risa Wechsler (2003)
- James Bullock (2002)
- Romeel Dave (2000)
- Scott Trager (1997)
- Guy Worthey (1994)
- Sylvain Veillieux (1992)
Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics Fellowship
The purpose of this program is to offer a unique opportunity for a select group of physics graduate students in the United States to spend a period of 5-6 months at the KITP, participate in KITP research programs and broaden their understanding of physics in areas of current research.
-
Kirsten Howley (2006)
Michelson Graduate Fellowship (NASA)
The Michelson Fellowship program invites applications for graduate student fellowships in exo-planet research or related field at a US institution. Fellowship applications proposing technology development and/or astronomical applications of optical/IR interferometry and/or coronagraphy are particularly encouraged.
-
Katie Morzinski (2007)
Miller Institute Fellowship
The Fellowships are intended for brilliant young women and men of great promise who have recently been awarded, or who are about to be awarded, the doctoral degree.
-
Genevieve Graves (2009)
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow
Criteria for selection includes the scientific merit of the proposed research, the relevance of the proposed research to NASA objectives in Earth or space science, and academic excellence based on transcripts and letter of recommendation from the student's faculty advisor. - James Guillochon (2010)
top
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. The reputation of the GRFP follows recipients and often helps them become life-long leaders that contribute significantly to both scientific innovation and teaching.
- Nathan Goldbaum (2010)
- Rosalie McGuirk (2009)
- Robert daSilva (2009)
- Jacob Arnold (2009)
- Anne Medling (2009)
- Priya Kolllipara (2008)
- Javiera Guedes (2007)
- Kevin Schlaufman (2007)
- Laura Lopez (2007)
- Lindsey Pollack (2007)
- Evan Kirby (2005)
- Jay Strader (2003)
- Mark Ammons (2003)
- Sarah Robinson (2003)
- Karoline Gilbert (2002)
- Neal Turner (1999)
- Anouk Shambrook (1997)
- Kurtis Williams (1997)
- Phillip Choi (1996)
- Jennifer Johnson (1994)
- Jeremy Heyl (1994)
- Carol Gronwall (1994)
Spitzer Fellowship
The Spitzer Fellowship Program provided an opportunity for highly qualified and recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research towards the goal of enhancing the overall scientific return from the Spitzer mission. The Fellowship Program selected new Fellows each year from 2002 through 2008. The new Hubble Fellowship program is an amalgamation of the pre-existing Hubble and Spitzer Fellowship programs.
- Sarah Dodson-Robinson (2008)
Graduate Students: UCSC Prizes and Awards
The University of California offers several merit-based and diversity enhancement fellowship programs to students who show potential to become excellent faculty or researchers in institutions of higher education as well as to foster multi-faceted diversity in graduate education at the University of California.
Chancellor's Fellowships
- Evan Kirby (2004)
- Karoline Gilbert (2002)
Dean's Fellowships
- Priya Kollipara (2006)
Dissertation Year Fellowships
- Laura Lopez (2010)
- Kevin Schlaufman (2010)
- Genevieve Graves (2008)
- Sarah Martell (2007)
- Mark Ammons (2006)
- Scott Seagroves (2005)
- Lynn Raschke (2004)
- Maria Geha (2001)
- Jennifer Johnson (1998)
- Katherine Wu (1997)
- Jarita Holbrook (1996)
Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowships
- Claire Dorman (2009)
- Angie Wolfgang (2009)
- Jacob Arnold (2007)
- Laura Lopez (2007)
- Mark Mozena (2007)
- Priya Kollipara (2006)
- Kirsten Howley (2004)
Provost's Fellowships
- Jay Strader (2002)
Regent's Fellowships
- Genevieve Graves (2003)
Denton Prize Winner
Top honor presented to a graduate student at the annual Graduate Research Symposium, which allows graduate students to share their research in the form of posters and oral presentations.
- Javiera Guedes (2009)
Graduates Students: Astronomy Department Awards
Whitford Prize
The Whitford Prize, named for the famous Lick astronomer and former director Albert Whitford, is awarded to the Astronomy and Astrophysics graduate student who, in the judgment of the faculty, attains the highest achievement in research, coursework, teaching, and the preliminary exam. The award includes a $500 cash prize, and is awarded on an annual basis.- Luke Roberts and James Guillochon (2009)
- Stefano Meschiari and Kevin Schlaufman (2008)
- Laura Lopez (2007)
- Evan Kirby (2006)
- Mark Ammons and Genevieve Graves (2005)
- Jay Strader (2004)
- Gregory Novak (2003)
- Michael Kuhlen (2002)
- Weiquin Zhang (2000)
- Marla Gehan (1999)
- Patrik Jonsson (1998)
- Anthony Gonzalez and Jason Harris (1997)
Student Award for Excellence in Teaching
Initiated in 2008, this award recognizes those students who demonstrate an exceptional talent for and interest in teaching. The recipient is chosen on recommendations of faculty, student evaluations, other forms of teaching and mentoring activities, and a teaching statement from the nominated student. The award includes a $250 cash prize, and is awarded on an annual basis.- Stefano Meschiari (2009)
- Mark Mozena (2008)
Undergraduate Students: Prizes and Awards
UCSC Loren Steck Award
The Loren Steck Award honors the best senior thesis completed during the academic year, with the winner chosen from the Chancellor's Award candidates. - Rion Parson (2009) Faculty Advisor - Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz
- Konstantin Batygin (2008) Faculty Advisor - Greg Laughlin
- Aaron Wolf (2006) Faculty Advisor - Greg Laughlin
Postdoctoral Researchers: Prizes and Awards
Chandra Fellowship
Hubble Fellowship
NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship
Sagan Fellowship
Chandra Fellowship
The Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO) Postdoctoral Fellowship program sponsored by NASA awards Fellowships to recent Ph.D.'s (since January 1, 2002) in astronomy, physics, and related disciplines. Chandra Fellows hold their appointments at a Host Institution in the U.S., for research that is broadly related to the goals of the Chandra satellite. As of 2009, the Chandra and Fermi Fellowships have become part of the Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. UCSC is or has been the host insitituion for the following Chandra Fellows:
- David Buote (1998)
top
Hubble Fellowship
Hubble Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports outstanding postdoctoral scientists whose research is broadly related to NASA Cosmic Origins scientific goals as addressed by any of the missions in this program: the Herschel Space Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope (HST), James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), and the Spitzer Space Telescope. UCSC is or has been the host insitituion for the following Hubble Fellows:
- Daniel Fabrycky (2010)
- Pascal Oesch (2010)
- Daniel Kasen (2007)
- Jurg Diemand (2006)
- Jason Kalirai (2005)
- Robert Metcalf (2002)
- Andrew Cumming (2001)
- Karl Gebhardt (1997)
- Henry Kobulnicky (1997)
- Ann Zabludoff (1996)
- James Lowenthal (1993)
- Matthew Bershady (1992)
- Pawel Artymowicz (1990)
- Michael Bolte (1990)
top
NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship
NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the community.
- Sarah Hansen (2009 - 12)
- David Lai (2008-10)
- Ann Metevier (2003-06)
Sagan Fellowship
The Sagan Fellowships support outstanding recent postdoctoral scientists to conduct independent research that is broadly related to the science goals of the NASA Exoplanet Exploration program. NASA's new Sagan fellowships will allow talented young scientists to tread the path laid out by the late astronomer, Carl Sagan.
- Eliza Miller - Ricci (2009)