Candidate Statement: Daniela Calzetti

 

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Nominated Office: Councilor

Affiliation: University of Massachusetts

Position/title: Professor

PhD institution: University of Rome `La Sapienza', 1992

Areas of scientific interest:

  • Star Formation in Nearby Galaxies: Origin, Evolution, and Feedback
  • Dust Absorption and Emission

AAS positions:

  • Pierce/Warner Prize Committee Member (2007-2009)
  • Heineman Prize Committee Member (2013-2015)
  • Heineman Prize Committee Chair (2014)

Other relevant positions and experience:

  • Member of the HST/WFC3 Science Oversight Committee (1999-2009)
  • Member of the SIRTF First Look Survey Committee (1999)
  • Member of the Warm Spitzer Mission Steering Committee (2006-2007)
  • Member of the Publication Committee for the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (2007-2012)
  • SOFIA Science Council, Member (2009-2010)
  • Virtual Astronomical Observatory Science Council, Member (2009-2012)
  • North American Science Advisory Committee for ALMA, Member (2011-2014)
  • NASA Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group: Executive Committee Member (2013-2015)

Candidate Statement: Nowadays astronomy, and the sciences in general, are facing contrasting forces. On the one hand, we enjoy the enthusiastic support of many in the general public and an array of possibilities in terms of new instruments and facilities that is unprecedented. On the other hand, we still have enormous work to do in attracting young minds to STEM education, and we have to pursue research and education amid decreasing budgets. The budget situation, especially, is now getting so dire that it is pitting segments of our community one against the other, and the outlook for future facilities is dark. This is undermining the health of our profession. We need to find a common ground as a community to revert these negative tides, and ensure that there will be future generations of astronomers. The investment in future generations is our best chance to broaden the STEM education of the public at large, and become more effective at attracting young minds to the sciences.