Yerkes Future Foundation recruits innovative leaders to innovate Research, Science and Public Education Programs
Williams Bay, Wis., 17 May 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The birthplace of modern astrophysics, the Yerkes Observatory today hosted Dr. Amanda Bauer as its new Deputy Director + Head of Science and Education,
Dr. Amanda Bauer to lead science and research for Yerkes Observatory
Dr. Bauer brings Yerkes to the background as a research astronomer, leading science communicator, and an innovative team builder with years of experience leading large-scale scientific enterprises. Dr. Bauer will assume office in July, and his appointment marks another milestone in the realization of the observatory’s ambitious plans, which began when the Yerkes Future Foundation (YFF) acquired ownership of the observatory. University of Chicago in 2020.
In his newly created role at Yerkes, Dr. Bauer will serve as overall deputy director of the Yerkes Future Foundation and lead the observatory’s science, research, telescope operations and education programs.
Dr. Bauer has a track record of engaging diverse communities and scientific leadership United States and abroad. He is currently the Deputy Director of Operations for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Chile, one of the largest and highly anticipated astronomy projects under construction in the world. In 2015, serving as the first outreach officer for the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) SydneyHe was named one of the Top 5 Under 40 Researchers and Science Communicators Australia,
“I am incredibly honored to be joining the passionate and dedicated Yerkes team. Having focused on the many different aspects of how astronomical discovery is generated and communicated, this opportunity takes the opportunity to engage in modern creativity while engaging in And to inspire scientific curiosity seems like the perfect culmination of the exploration of the universe. What the Yerkes Future Foundation has achieved so far is extraordinary and holds great promise for what the Yerkes Observatory could be for generations to come I am excited to be a part of the journey.” says Bauer.
Denise KoisoExecutive Director of the Yerkes Observatory, said “It would be hard to say how excited the people in the worlds of astronomy and science are to see Yerkes come back to life, and thus our search attracted an extraordinary field of candidates. But among that talented group Also Amanda’s wit, complex ideas masterfully clever ways to communicate, her sense of humor, passion for astronomy and the belief that Yerkes could make a meaningful contribution to the future of science came out clearly. I’m more excited Couldn’t have chosen to join us on this adventure.”
Diana ColemanThe Board President of YFF said, “We are committed to unlocking the observatory’s potential to contribute to astronomy research and science education on a global scale, and we have found the perfect scientist and leader to pursue this worthwhile mission. Amanda’s scientific credentials are top-notch and will take Yerkes to the next level; She is also a lovely human being who will be a wonderful addition to our community.”
a native of ohioDr. Bauer has served in highly visible roles including the public face and voice of the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) in Australia. Sydney, after receiving the Super Science Fellowship from the Australian Research Council. She launched and led the AAO social media stream, co-hosted the podcast for Radio National Australia, led public events for thousands of participants and was a regular presence in Australian media.
At Rubin Observatory, a brand new facility with an 8.4-meter telescope Chile And the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy, Dr. Bauer started out as the head of education and public outreach. from the project’s home base Arizona, he used his vision and enthusiasm for astronomy education and outreach to guide the creation of a unique public program, building a dynamic and effective team. He was then named Deputy Director of Rubin Operations, where he helped define the strategic vision, the framework to achieve this, and contributed greatly to the successful proposal for funding the first 5 years of operations. Rubin will be imaging the entire visible night sky every 3-4 nights, generating petabytes of data – some of which, interestingly, will be followed by astronomers who will examine the historical glass plates of the same galaxies and stars that first appeared. The bars were featured in Yerkes. Making the observatory one of the oldest and largest libraries of historical astronomical imagery on the planet.
Dr. Bauer holds a BS in Physics University of Cincinnati and PhD in Astrophysics from University of Texas at Austin and is the author or co-author of more than sixty professional publications on astronomy research and science outreach. Amanda will be transferred Wisconsin with your daughter ida lunaHis guitar, and an eclectic collection of desert succulents.
Dr. Bauer was selected after a highly competitive search that yielded more than eighty qualified candidates with experience in leading universities, research institutes and government science organizations around the world. Executive Director Denise Koiso To aid in this process, an advisory search committee consisting of leading astronomers, leaders of major US observatories and past leaders of Yerkes was formed.
About the Yerkes Observatory
The Yerkes Observatory is known globally as the birthplace of modern astrophysics and remains home to the world’s largest refracting telescope. Since 1897, the observatory has welcomed world-renowned astronomers, astronauts, Nobel laureates, scientists and educators. Lake Geneva is located on Williams Bay, WisconsinSeveral modern robotic telescopes (40″ and 24″ reflectors) at the observatory are still actively used for research in addition to the “Great Refractor”, currently for research use in partnership with a glass-plate library of 180,000 images. is being digitized. University of Chicagoand several laboratories surrounded by 50 acres of grounds designed by the legendary firm olmsted and Olmsted. In 2020, the Yerkes Future Foundation assumed long-term leadership for the preservation and expansion of the observatory and has thus far made significant investments in the preservation and reconstruction of this landmark in the history of science. The community-based foundation has launched an initial $25 million Campaign to restore and maximize the observatory’s potential to contribute to global science and educational initiatives.
About the scientific legacy of Yerkes
Yerkes Observatory has a 125-year history of major science, research and astrophysics engineering initiatives, passed down over generations and cited in the international scientific literature more than 10,000 times. Founded by famous astronomer George Ellery Hale In 1892, the observatory’s laboratories produced the High-Resolution Airborne Wideband Camera (HAWC) for NASA in 2012. Famous astronomers and scientists have walked the halls of the observatory Edwin Hubble, otto struwe, Gerard Cuipero, Carl SaganNASA’s first astronomy chief, Nancy Grace Roman, and Nobel laureate Albert Einstein and Subrahmanyam Chandrasekhar.
Source Yerkes Observatory
,
